A shop owner stood in the wreckage of his store yesterday and spoke of his shock and devastation following a fire that destroyed his livelihood.

Suresh Kumar made a frantic dash to Rochester Wines in Rainham on Tuesday night only to see the business he has run for 15 years go up in flames.

Thirty firefighters were needed to tackle the blaze which broke out at about 10.30pm.

Crews arrived to find flames 20ft high coming from the back of the shop and confusion over whether people were trapped in the flats above.

After banging on all the doors, crews had to go into the bedsits to search for occupants but everyone had made it out safely.

Mr Kumar, 40, had just locked up and was on his way home when a neighbour living near the shop in High Dewar Road called to break the news.

As he surveyed the damage comforted by friends, Mr Kumar said: “This is my everyday life – this is my livelihood. I have lost everything.”

Firefighters were at the scene all night and were able to stop the blaze from spreading to a car battery shop next door, which opened hours later. The cause is unknown.

Mr Kumar has been told it could be months before he could reopen.

He added: “It is a very slow process. I cannot imagine how much it is going to cost – at least £40,000. All of my fridges have gone and they cost £6,000 each.

“The only good thing is that thankfully nobody was hurt. And I can’t thank my neighbours and loyal customers enough. I must have got 20 calls in 10 minutes from people.”

Medway fire crew manager Kev Chapman said: “When we arrived there were lots of people in the street and flames about 20ft high at the back of the shops.

“There are seven flats about the shops and there were only three people accounted for. I went banging on the doors of the flats above but some of the doors were locked.

“So our priority was going in with breathing apparatus to check the flats. At the same time we were trying to suppress the fire at the rear.”

The owners of the battery store thanked firefighters for their efforts. Battery Specialists Southeast posted on its Facebook page: “As you are no doubt aware by now, a huge fire broke out in the shop next door to us.

“This is my everyday life – this is my livelihood. I have lost everything" - Suresh Kumar

“We have been extremely lucky to say the least.

"We have extensive smoke damage but all stock, fixtures and most fittings look safe. Please do not hesitate to continue using us for your battery needs.

“Our sincere sorrow goes to our fantastic neighbours at Rochester Wines who have lost everything.

"Our grateful thanks go to Kent Fire Brigade for bringing things under control ASAP, and above all else we’re grateful that everybody in the flats above got out safely.”

The cause of the blaze is now being investigated but it is not thought to be suspicious.