Fires can devastate businesses, with some failing to ever pick up the pieces. The cost of the fire is high, and to highlight this we’ve collected details on some of the worst business fires in recent memory, all in the hope that more people will take the threat of fire seriously.
CAMPER UK, LINCOLNSHIRE
CAUSE OF FIRE: unknown
COST OF FIRE:
- 27 motorhomes
- £250,000 worth of parts
- All customer records
FIRE AND RESCUE RESPONSE: 65 Firefighters tackled the blaze
DID THE BUSINESS SURVIVE: This motorhome company managed to claw back from the brink. Having already established a move of premises to another location close by, Camper UK luckily survived the blaze which swept through their business – but not without a struggle.
GREGGS FACTORY, NEWCASTLE
CAUSE OF FIRE: Electrical Fault, Starter Panel
COST OF FIRE:
- Loss of essential control systems
- Disruption to plant business
DID THE BUSINESS SURVIVE: Only by working 24-hour shifts – and with round-the-clock construction for new systems – did Greggs manage to keep the production line running. An essential plant, supplying Greggs chains across the UK, the cost of losing business would have been far greater.
UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM, NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
CAUSE OF FIRE: Electrical Fault
COST OF FIRE:
- £20m laboratory lost
- Disruption for students
- Research falls a year behind
FIRE AND RESCUE RESPONSE: 60+ Firefighters and at least three fire engines
DID THE BUSINESS SURVIVE: The building was completely written off, but GlaxoSmithKline helped to fund the rebuild of the laboratory which they had originally funded. The city lost a vital educational resource, with the new building due to be finished in the first half of 2016.
THE WEDDING RECEPTION, SUNDERLAND
CAUSE OF FIRE: Investigation ongoing
COST OF FIRE:
- Structural damage
- Smoke damage to stock
- Ground floor and basement destroyed
FIRE AND RESCUE RESPONSE: 7 fire crews required to tackle blaze
DID THE BUSINESS SURVIVE: Despite reassurances for customers who had placed orders, the business had to be moved from the premises. Production of dresses is expected to continue, but structural damage to the building hampers progress for the owner.
CELSA MANUFACTURING PLANT, CARDIFF
CAUSE OF FIRE: Explosion, Investigation ongoing
COST OF FIRE:
- Two fatalities
- Four injured
- Production halted
FIRE AND RESCUE RESPONSE: Six fire crews responded to an explosion, recovering two bodies
DID THE BUSINESS SURVIVE: Certainly, the Cesla plant continues, but this case shows the cost of fire can be more far-reaching than having financial consequences, with the loss of life hitting the victims’ families and communities hard.
CELSA MANUFACTURING PLANT, CARDIFF
CAUSE OF FIRE: Spark in attic chimney flue
COST OF FIRE:
- Large portions of 13th Century pub lost
- Fire crews called out twice
- Business closed
FIRE AND RESCUE RESPONSE: Fire crews called out twice to tackle fire
DID THE BUSINESS SURVIVE: Some portions of the pub still remain, which the owner hopes to reopen with, but as things stand the business remains closed.
These cases highlight just how important fire safety is and help to give an idea of the true cost of fire. It’s not just your business that could suffer, people’s lives can be lost in tragic circumstances. To ensure you have the best level of protection for your business, whether you operate in the retail or manufacturing industry, Fireward are on hand to supply automatic fire suppression systems, helping stop fires before they start.
Fireward, Protecting People and Assets 24/7.
To find out more about how Fireward’s Automatic Fire Suppression systems, get in touch by calling 0800 151 0249 or email at: sales@fireward.co.uk
