DETECTIVES say a ferocious fire which destroyed a Greenock shop may have been started deliberately.

Eight people were forced to flee after a blaze broke out at the Inverclyde Estate & Letting Agency shop in West Blackhall Street beneath their flats just before 11.30pm on Wednesday.

Emergency services attended and enquiries carried out so far indicate the fire may have been malicious.

Detective Inspector David Wagstaff of Greenock CID says the blaze is being treated as ‘suspicious’.

He said: “I am appealing to anyone who was in West Blackhall Street around the time of the incident who may have seen or heard something suspicious, or anyone who has information as to how this fire started to contact police.”

Officers are in the process of gathering CCTV footage from in and around the area.

Alison Hattrick, who owns the long-running business, said she is relieved that no-one was injured in the blaze.

She said: “The important thing is that no-one was hurt.

“That is what we have got to focus on.

“There are worse things happening in the world and we are lucky that we have professional people who can help us.”

Alison is determined to re-open her business as soon as possible and says she has been overwhelmed by the support she has received from the local community.

She added: “We will get ourselves sorted out.

“The customers have been absolutely fantastic and so has the local business community.

“I’ve had so many offers of help. People have been really kind.”

A police cordon was put in place outside the shop yesterday as forensic experts in white suits carried out investigations.

Anyone with information about the fire is asked to phone Greenock CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.