AN ELECTRICAL fault is believed to have started the blaze that ripped through historic buildings in Wimborne town centre during the early hours of Saturday morning.

The Albion Inn, Thomas Cook and Saville Travel, and Martin’s newsagent, which contains the town’s post office, were all badly damaged by the blaze, which started at about 2.30am.

Now the traders affected are starting the massive repair effort needed to recover from the devastating blaze, which saw 90 firefighters battle 30-foot flames for more than seven hours.

Mark Woodhouse, the vice-chairman of brewer Hall and Woodhouse, said the value of damage to The Albion Inn was estimated at “several hundred thousand pounds”.

“It’s not going to be cheap. But as far as we’re concerned, the most important thing is that no one was hurt. Flesh and blood cannot be rebuilt – property can,” said Mr Woodhouse.

Repair work could take months, said the brewery boss, who vo-wed that the pub would reopen.

Ron Stanley, who runs Saville Travel, salvaged printed records of holiday bookings from a filing cabinet in his damaged premises and by Monday had started running his business from home.

“Everything in the shop is destroyed and standing in about two inches of water – cables, routers, monitors and PCs.

“It’s a complete and utter disaster area.

“The brochures are just one large mess,” said Mr Stanley.

Four staff had already started work at his home contacting customers to reassure them about their travel plans, he said. Alternative premises in the town were being sought, he added.

James Webb, assistant curator of the adjacent Grade II listed Priest’s House Museum, said firefighters had done “an amazing job”.

“We’re just breathing a collective sigh of relief that we have escaped any damage. We have been very, very lucky,” said James.

Mike Hirsh, the head of planning at East Dorset District Council, said the museum and nearby Tourist Information Centre would operate as normal.

The council was in negotiation with the Post Office to open a temporary counter while the fire-gutted newsagent’s was repaired, he added.

Malcolm Budden, who owns the building next door to the damaged parade, said he was waiting for an insurance assessor to inspect his damaged property.

A spokesperson for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said: “The cause of the fire in Wimborne on Saturday is still under investigation.

“At this time we believe an electrical fault may have started the fire.”

Investigating officer Andy Fox is expected to return to the site later this week to continue his investigation, she added.