DIYWEEK.net

The damage caused by a fire that ripped through one of a Kent ironmonger's businesses on Bonfire Night is likely to run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The huge blaze broke out in the early evening of November 5 in one of Webbs' three shops in Tenterden high street. It rapidly spread to the neighbouring Waterstones book shop and Cafe Rouge, and people living and working nearby were evacuated. No one was hurt.

Ten fire engines and 60 firefighters attended the scene, along with a command support unit, height vehicle and bulk water carrier. A mobile pool was also set up in the road as a back-up water supply.

Family-run Webbs, which celebrated its centenary in 2010, has shops in West Malling, Kent, and Battle, East Sussex, as well as its trio of Tenterden outlets. The original store there is an ironmonger's, which is just down the road from the linens shop and the 16th century kitchenware, china and gift shop - the latter now in ruins.

Director Nigel Webb told diyweek.net that he was made aware of the fire just as it was starting. "Someone rang me up and said, there's a fire in one of your shops," he said, adding that he was still in shock.

He said the damage to stock could be worth "a quarter of a million, as a guess. That which hasn't been char-grilled has now melted, it's literally black."

Read more in this week's issue of DIY Week.