07 Dec 2012
The proprietors of a Norfolk charity shop are lamenting the destruction of uninsured stock worth thousands of pounds following a fire at the shop on Thursday December 6th.
The fire broke out at about 10pm in the central area of Dereham town that has been designated for a £1 million rehabilitation scheme, the Norwich Evening News reported.
Firefighters worked to put out the fire at the Pact animal charity shop and keep it from moving to adjacent buildings on Norwich Street.
Firefighting crews put out the fire by midnight on Thursday, but some firefighters stayed at the site as smoke continued to come out of the shop.
The devastated building has been cordoned off and the cause of the fire is now under investigation.
The co-founder of Pact, Chris Rockingham, said he thought the used items in the shop were worth up to £10,000. All of the second-hand merchandise was uninsured.
All commercial properties in England and Wales must conduct a ‘suitable and sufficient’ fire risk assessment according to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Non-compliance with the regulation can result in either a limitless fine or a jail term of as long as 48 months for the Responsible Person.
Copyright Press Association 2012