Business premises will probably need to be demolished after a raging Dundee fire, it is understood.
Clepington Road’s China, China and Affertons Funeral Care were left completely gutted by the blaze on January 4.
Having started in the Chinese takeaway, the flames spread to Affertons and then to First Class Barber and three other businesses.
Paul Craigie, who owns Affertons Funeral Care, said he has been advised the building may need to partially knocked down.
He said: “It doesn’t look good.
“Loss adjusters who have been inspecting the properties say it’s a possibility that ours may need to be demolished.
“All the insurance representatives from each business have been in to assess the situation.
“It was a bit of a shocker walking in on Wednesday when we first got in. The smell alone will take a long time to disappear.
“I have been in some of the other units too and they don’t look great either.
“For sure though, ours and the Chinese are the worst damaged. Hopefully we’ll find out soon for definite what the outcome is.”
A joint police and fire service investigation found there were no suspicious circumstances but the cause is yet to be confirmed.
Paul said: “We feared the worst straight away.
“We had already been planning to move to another building so we will look to expedite that now.
“All the help from other local businesses has been really appreciated. We are ticking along and still running as a business.
“We’ve needed to assure a few people with funeral plans who were asking if they were still covered.
“Everything is fine and will be sorted in time.”
Fortunately, no bodies were inside the funeral business at the time of the fire, while cremated remains were rescued by quick-thinking emergency workers.
Other businesses affected include Domestic Appliance House, betting chain Labrokes and East Coast Memorials.
The large blaze started at around 11am and quickly filled the surrounding area with smoke.
Many residents living in the densely populated area left their homes as the smoke seeped inside.
A spokesperson for Dundee City Council said: “Building Standards have secured the most effected fire damaged buildings to address the immediate risk to public safety.
“We have engaged with the owners and will monitor the situation and await their actions to ensure there is no risk to the public in the longer term.”
