Hopes that a temporary home for the destroyed Cycle King store could be found in the coming weeks have seen the Bury St Edmunds community hailed as ‘amazing’ just days after a fire tore through the business.
Darren Hunt, group retail managing director of Cycle King, said plans were already afoot to find a temporary home for the bike shop in the town centre, with support from the community.
There were no injuries in the blaze, believed to have broken out in a storeroom at the rear the bike shop, which backs on to Abbey Gardens. The fire was reported at 5pm and under control by 7pm.
Mr Hunt said all 1,000 bikes in the store were destroyed in the fire and estimated the total damage to be hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The store has suffered significant damage and will be closed for six to 12 months while it is torn down and rebuilt.
“It is just absolutely devastating,” said Mr Hunt. “It is such a long-established shop and integral in the community. It is a complete, total loss. There is nothing salvageable.
“The firefighters did an incredible job. To save those buildings either side and put out the fire without any injuries; that’s just phenomenal. We would also like to say a massive thank you to the community. The support we have received has been absolutely amazing. Everybody has wished us all the best.
“The main store itself definitely won’t (be open for Christmas) but we are looking for temporary premises in the town centre. We have had fantastic support. Christmas is huge for us and we are keen to open quickly. The town centre is popular and finding a big enough place is the first hurdle.”
He said the cordoned-off building had no structural integrity. Firefighters had to contend with “some minor explosion risks”, Suffolk Fire and Rescue area commander Ken Williamson said. He said arson is a line of inquiry as investigations remain ongoing.
They were treated for smoke inhalation in hospital before being questioned and released under investigation.
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