The commercial centre of a border village in the Northern was tonight devastated by a fire which destroyed four shops.
Fire crews were sent to the village of Camlough in South Armagh near the border with the Republic after fire broke out in a chip shop and spread through the row of shops.
Witnesses said four premises were damaged but fortunately no one was injured.
They also said it appeared the blaze was accidental.
Sinn Fein Assembly member for Newry and Armagh Mr Conor Murphy said villagers were "devastated".
"It has torn into the commercial heart of the village," he said.
"About 70 people are employed there.
"There appears to be a lot of smoke and water damage and it's likely that the majority of the complex will have to be bulldozed.
"It is devastating."
PA