Stafford fire: Firms speak out as inferno fallout costs spiral into thousands

The fire at industrial cleaning factory Global Hygiene sent massive balls of flames hundreds of feet into the sky while explosions blasted around Astonfields Industrial Estate.

And now, businesses in the immediate area are facing costly set backs as they work towards getting business back to normal, after some units were forced to close for up to five days.

For many, winds blew smoke under doors and through windows, leaving thick black soot which has ruined stock and damaged the interior of buildings.

Ice cream van business Tony's Ices, which is based in one of the units directly opposite Global Hygiene, could face up to £10,000 loss in stock – before cleaning bills are even taken into account.

Owner of the family-run business, Karl Simcock, runs four vans in Stafford area and the business also owns the kiosk in Victoria Park, in the town.

Stock including ice cream cones, flakes, sweets and plastic tubs have been ruined after being covered by dust from the blaze.

The 41-year-old said: "It's not knowing where you're going which is the concerning thing. We bought a lot of our stock ready for the season early before the prices go up.

"We tried to beat the price increase and obviously the stuff has been damaged by the smoke because they are food products.

"There are some things that we have had to chuck away and some waiting test results – we are waiting for reports to come back from Stafford Borough Council Health Department.

"This is our start of the season so we've been back out for a couple of weeks and obviously everything now has come to a stop."

• Company boss apologises as firms count cost of damage

• Stafford fire in VIDEO and PICTURES

• Hundreds evacuated as major fire brought under control

So far, the business has had to throw away just over £4,000 worth of stock which could rise up to £10,000 depending on the results that come back from the council - which is before they begin to look at the loss of earnings and clean up costs.

He added: "You have got to keep your chin up. Last week I was devastated; this week I'm thinking it could have been worse and we could have lost everything. We were very lucky in that sense."

Stafford Garage Doors, opposite the Goodwin's factory that was also burned to the ground, could have to pay up to £10,000 to clean-up the damage. Staff did not return to the premises until Monday morning and the water from the fire engines had also flooded the building's downstairs.

John Litchfield, who had only started his role as manager the day before the fire, insisted the business would get back on track.

"We had it quite bad because the wind was blowing everything this way," he said.

"The fire has affected the walk in business because they shut the road, we couldn't get back in until the Monday after and obviously the smoke has damaged everything.

"Business is much quieter now, we aren't having as many walk-ins and obviously when people do come in they can't touch anything at the moment. We've got new doors downstairs and the lads went out to fit a new one the other day and it took them two hours to clean it. We have got stock in there but it's just covered in black."

The business was expecting another member of staff to start on Monday but they have since been temporarily relocated.

Mr Litchfield said they could be looking at up to £10,000 to clear up the damage. "We were actually flooded downstairs as well, because all the water from the fire engines came under the doors, he said.

"At the moment we're waiting for all the insurance to come back to get rid of all the smoke because everything you touch is covered in black. We are looking at about of £10,000 just to fix the smoke damage."

Wet Auditors, who are situated in the unit next to Tony's Ices, have also been affected with smoke damage.

Maria Elliott, who works in admin, said: "We're getting back on track now, but we're still cleaning the one side of the unit. It's just black everywhere.

"Not a great deal has happened since the fire, we have cleaned up ourselves, backed up all the computers storage because apparently a bit of carbon in your computer and it could just go."

Stafford Borough Council has said they will be working with businesses that were directly affected by the fire to offer support.