STOCK with a retail value of £3million was destroyed in a blaze at a warehouse in Eastwood.

Jegs Electrical is counting the cost of a devastating fire but has promised that it will rise from the ashes.

The building in Progress Road was brought to the ground by the intense fire which police believe was started deliberately.

More than 100 firefighters tackled the flames early Saturday morning to prevent it spreading to other businesses.

Managers at the electrical wholesalers are looking for suitable temporary premises to work from and have assured all 65 staff they still have a job and the warehouse will be rebuilt.

Managing director Martin Gibbons said: "I felt shattered, then numb but now my strength of resolve has started. We will be up and running as soon as possible, hopefully by the end of next month.

"We have lost retail price of stock of £3million. We have to rebuild and our business has been interrupted but staff will be paid, our customers and suppliers will be kept up to date and we will be back up and be twice as efficient."

Mr Gibbons, who set the company up in 1970, also praised his staff, the fire brigade and police.

Claire Cherry, chief executive officer at the company, said: "It was upsetting to watch because for most of us it's not just a building.

"We have deliveries coming the end of this week, we still have our database and will be running some sort of service by next week, although we won't be up to full capacity for some time. We have an extremely good relationship with our suppliers as we have been going a long time so it shouldn't cause any problems."

Firefighters were still dealing with small fires at the site more than 48 hours after the blaze started.

Crews from Leigh fire station continued to make regular visits over Christmas to dampen down hot spots.

Sub officer Jeff Hammond said: "Because the fire brought the roof down on some of the burning parts, the flames continue below what we can see. Every now and then this develops into a small fire which we have to dampen down."

Loss adjustors are currently assessing the total cost of the damage.

*A 26-year-old man from Grays who was arrested on suspicion of arson has been bailed until April 4 .