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Trevor Lewis Signs, Fire destroys company building.
All our worst nightmares has happened to long term uksignboards.com member Mike Grant. On Sunday night a car parked in front of his unit was set on fire, in turn setting his unit on fire.
Local news reports say he has lost everything. Hopefully insurance will pick up the pieces though..Posted on Trevor Lewis Signs Facebook page:
$this->BBvideo_pass(‘$8’, ‘$4’, ‘$7’)Posted on Trevor Lewis Signs Facebook page:
$this->BBvideo_pass(‘$8’, ‘$4’, ‘$7’)A Devastated Swansea businessman whose firm was destroyed in an inferno said: "My life has gone up in smoke."
Michael Grant, aged 59, fears for the future after fire broke out in a car outside Trevor Lewis Signs at 6.35pm and raged throughout the night through the building.
Eight fire crews were sent to the Winch Wen Industrial Estate and they only left at 8am on Sunday morning.
The business has been running for 84 years after first being established back in 1932.
But it has been in the ownership of Mr Grant, of Pontlliw, for 20 years and he has run it single-handedly for 10 years.
Dad-of-one Mr Grant was today helping police and fire investigators, as they looked over the scene.He said: "My life has gone up in smoke. I believe a car, which did not belong to me, which was left outside my unit, went on fire.
"I don’t know if it spontaneously combusted or if it was malicious. I’ve had the business for 20 years and I was running it on my own for 10 years.
"I have had no sleep all night."
He added: "I’m wondering whether to shut the door and walk away or rise out of the ashes. Time is money and I’m self-employed, no work means no pay."
The premises was home to digital printers and screen printing equipment and the firm also specialised in engraving.
Mr Grant said he did not think he had the money to cover the cost of replacing the equipment that had been destroyed.
"I have got equipment in there which was old but in good working condition but is financially irreplaceable," he said.
A fire service spokeswoman added: "It was a private motor vehicle which was outside which caught fire and the fire then spread to the unit. The unit and the vehicle were both heavily damaged and the units either side were also affected."
Flames were seen leaping from the building at the height of the blaze.
A total of 18 breathing apparatus were in use, along with two main jets, four house reels and the aerial appliance. Specialist equipment in use included the fire service drone.
The cause of the fire is being jointly investigated by the fire service and the police.
Source: Click Here
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13 Replies
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Mike is a long term member of the boards.
That is shocking, probably your worst business nightmare.
I know it happened to Colin another board member in Romford not so long ago.I feel for you Mike and I hope you get back up and running somehow.
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Really sad news.
John
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Terrible news indeed! Heavy feeling in my heart reading this!!
Mike if there is anything I can personally do to help you do let me know…
I’m sure everyone on the boards feels the same!
Prayers and best wishes!
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This is absolutely shocking. I hope you can get back up and running soon Mike
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Thoughts are with you Mike, that’s a major blow…good luck getting yourself up and running and I’ll keep every thing crossed that the insurance company works with you to get things in place quickly.
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Keep your chin up! Hope you get up and running again shortly. best of luck!
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Nightmare, I am totally gutted for you Mike. Really sad news to hear mate and as has been said, I hope your are well covered and can get yourself back on your feet swiftly.
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Very sorry to hear this Mike.
I know it helps little for the immediate future, but I really hope the insurance sort things out for you.
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Hi guys, not been on the forums for ages. I was surprised to see this. I have lost just about everything. In the hands of the insurance now. I am currently trying to find my best route forward. At my age starting everything from scratch again is a very daunting task. I had everything computer related backed up in case of computer failure which I think most of us do, but please DON’T LEAVE YOUR BACKUPS IN THE SAME BUILDING!. Mine have all now gone up in smoke so totally irrecoverable. We all think the inevitable will never happen to us, my motto is "What you are prepared for never happens" well it happened to me! 🙁
Thank you for your kind words.
Cheers
Mike -
quote Mike Grant:Hi guys, not been on the forums for ages. I was surprised to see this. I have lost just about everything. In the hands of the insurance now. I am currently trying to find my best route forward. At my age starting everything from scratch again is a very daunting task. I had everything computer related backed up in case of computer failure which I think most of us do, but please DON’T LEAVE YOUR BACKUPS IN THE SAME BUILDING!. Mine have all now gone up in smoke so totally irrecoverable. We all think the inevitable will never happen to us, my motto is “What you are prepared for never happens” well it happened to me! 🙁
Thank you for your kind words.
Cheers
MikeReally sorry to have heard this bad news. I can’t do much to help from so far away but if you need anything doing to get you through a job just let me know. Best of luck with everything Mike.
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My Heart goes out to you Mike I thought I was in the same situation at the beginning of the year luckily we only had minor damage, unit next to us was total loss. I hope that you get back up and running soon wishing you all the best
Colin -
Is that a Vauxhall Corsa pictured? Have just heard on the news of a number of cases of the dash catching fire in seconds..
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All my best wishes Mike. I cannot imagine what it must feel like. Try and sit back for a couple of days and take stock of what you can realistically do in the near future, don’t make any hasty decisions and don’t be bullied by your insurers.
Sadly I’m no longer in a position to offer any help but I’m sure there are other members here on the boards who may be able.Ahe very best, try and keep us all up to date.
Steve
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