Covent Garden London
The heart of London's West End
Traders Lose Out From Fire
Traders in Earlham Street and Shelton Street have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds' worth of stock and business because of the fire that swept through the adjoining Seven Dials Warehouse early in September.
Damage to their property and merchandise, and the unstable condition of the fire-ravaged building, caused some shops to remain closed for weeks.
The fire broke out shortly before 8pm on Thursday September 2 in the five-storey building and ravaged through the upper floors and roof.
Firemen wearing breathing apparatus fought to contain the blaze and around 20 engines came from all over London to assist in fighting the fire.
The Donmar Theatre opposite, the Cambridge Theatre and the Belgo Centraal Restaurant on the ground floor were all evacuated. Fortunately, there were no casualties.
The heat of the fire was intense, and glowing red-hot embers and ash were seen blowing in the area above 15-foot high flames. The fire was finally brought under control at around 1am.
The blaze has been described as one of Seven Dials' most depressing days since the Second World War.
The offices of the Covent Garden Community Association in nearby Macklin Street were later taken over as a co-ordinating centre for the rescue services.
After the fire, however, about half-a-dozen traders whose businesses are adjacent to the blaze, suffered disruption and heavy losses.
These included Pepe Jeans on the corner of Earlham Street, Shelton Street and Neal Street, whose premises are now open again after a month's closure, Yellow Submarine, whose yellow and purple facaded shop was boarded up but is now trading normally, and the Frontline Group, who have had to move to new premises in Bedfordbury.
Belgo Centraal expect to open again in mid-October after a six-week closure.
One shop, Grade A Clothing, suffered comparatively little damage, according to its proprietor, Mr. Richard Daniels, but had to remain shut. "We could not open initially for a few days while they shored up the building next door with scaffolding and because we were left without power. They went through various safety procedures and we had to wait for the all clear." The shop is now once again open as usual.
He went on: "The problem for us is that while we are insured for fire and smoke, we are not covered for loss of earnings."
Kirk Originals had to close their shop while things were getting back to normal, forcing its proprietor, Mr. Jason Kirk, to trade from his home. "Our stock was ruined and the walls are crumbling, but we are definitely still in business, although I understand it could be some time before the repair work is completed.
"It is like a building site there now, not a pleasant environment or encouraging for people to walk down there. We are reviewing whether we shall ever return there," he said.
"Altogether, it is costing everyone hundreds of thousands of pounds," he said.
A Fire Prevention spokesman said, "I feel very sorry for these businesses but you can never predict when or where a fire can break out.
"So often innocent people suffer from a blaze. It is a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"Even when every precaution which can be taken has been taken, there is always the chance that someone will be caught out.
"Vigilance is the keyword. Just thinking 'fire' as you go about your daily business reduces considerably the risk of one starting."
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