Flames tore through a charity shop in Harpenden yesterday.

Herts Advertiser: Fire at the Dogs Trust in Harpenden. Picture: Herts Fire and RescueFire at the Dogs Trust in Harpenden. Picture: Herts Fire and Rescue (Image: Archant)

Four fire engines - from Harpenden, Wheathampstead and St Albans - were called to Dogs Trust on Station Road at about 5.40pm.

They used hose reels to attack the flames, which were extinguished by about 7.20pm.

Investigations to determine the cause of the blaze have begun.

No one was hurt in the flats above the shop, which was empty when the fire started.

Herts Advertiser: Fire at the Dogs Trust in Harpenden. Picture: Herts Fire and RescueFire at the Dogs Trust in Harpenden. Picture: Herts Fire and Rescue (Image: Archant)

A spokeswoman from Dogs Trust said: “Thankfully no one was in the shop at the time and those in the flats above are safe and sound. We’re helping the emergency services to establish the cause of the fire and are unable to comment further at this time.

“The shop was a thriving part of the community and we’d like to thank all our volunteers and supporters in Harpenden, for their help. We’ll do our best to reopen as quickly as possible, once it’s safe to do so.”

It is not known how much stock was lost.

Herts Advertiser: Fire at the Dogs Trust in Harpenden. Picture: Herts Fire and RescueFire at the Dogs Trust in Harpenden. Picture: Herts Fire and Rescue (Image: Archant)