Some shop operators in Fairy Hill, Portland are counting their losses following an early morning fire which destroyed four shops.

One of the shop owners, David Brown said he lost everything in the blaze, which started shortly before 4:00 AM.

Explaining that the fire started at one of the shops, and then spread to the others, Mr. Brown said his efforts to put out the blaze were futile.

Noting that the cause of the fire is not known, he said the loss is estimated at $1.7 million.