Gas cylinder was cause of explosion that tore through Lord Street Motors in Grimsby
THE OWNER of a car garage has been left devastated – after witnessing his livelihood go up in flames.
Malvin Hunter, who owns Lord Street Motors, in Grimsby, is today counting the cost of a fire which tore through the interior of his premises on Sunday night.
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Destroyed: The remains of the Lord Street Motors premises, in Grimsby, which was gutted by fire. Pictures: Rick Byrne
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Inspecting the damage: Malvin Hunter, right, owner of Lord Street Motors, in Grimsby, stands in front of the remains of his premises. Pictured with Malvin are Michael Rose, apprentice vehicle technician, left, and Martin Sussex, MOT tester and vehicle technician.
A gas cylinder kept in the storeroom for welding purposes exploded, sending the middle part of the building crashing to the ground in a pile of rubble.
The explosion is said to have been heard from miles around Grimsby.
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Mr Hunter, 64, and his wife Sonia, 60, have run the successful company together for the past 22 years.
Mr Hunter, who worked as a mechanic there for nine years before taking it over, said: "We were at home when we got the call to say the building was on fire.
"It was not until we got down there that we realised the extent of it all.
"We are not sure if it was an electrical fault or an arson attack, the fire and police services are still working together on that one.
"The whole business has vanished into ashes and rubble, everything is either melted or totally incinerated.
"All my mechanical tools, heavy machinery and three cars that belonged to the garage were caught in the fire. I have no idea how long or how much it will be to rebuild years of hard work and graft – it is very upsetting and I just cannot believe what has happened.
"We will be talking to the insurance company to see what we can claim from them.
"I am just glad no one was hurt during the fire or the explosion; it could all have been a lot worse.
"I want to thank my two mechanics, Martin Sussex and Michael Rose, for their help. They were here all day yesterday.
"And I am very grateful to the emergency services for their quick response and support.
"Our main focus will be to get the main garage back up and running as soon as possible so that I can get some business and income coming in again.
"A huge amount of work has to be done, but this is my life – I have to get it back together again."
Humberside Fire And Rescue were called to the scene at about 9.45pm and police arrived at about 10pm.
Nearby resident Carlee Miller, 37, of Earl Street, was in bed when she heard a loud bang.
"We shot up in bed as the explosion shook the windows," she said.
"When we looked outside we heard another bang before seeing the glow of flames in the sky.
"It was not long before we heard the emergency services arriving.
"I think people were evacuated as I saw a woman and her children in pyjamas running down the street.
"At first I thought it was a house that had gone up in flames, but when I drove down the road the next day I saw the garage was cordoned off."
A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "A police cordon was put in place and a small number of properties were evacuated for a short time, with residents returned to their addresses before midnight.
"A joint investigation between the police and fire services will now take place."
Comments
by a2011
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 7:20AM
“These days I'm lucky enough to be able to replace my car every three years for a new one and so use manufacturers guarantees at expensive dealer repairers. When I wasn't so financially comfortable I often used Lord Street Motors following recommendation and the service was excellent and far cheaper than from the big boys where a smile and cup of coffee from the receptionist must cost £100.
I hope this gentleman is soon back in business where he rightfully belongs.”
by Macamah
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 8:54PM
“I have to say it was such a shock to see what's left, or not, of the garage. I worked here from 1985 until 1990 (with Mally for a time) and they were the best work days of my life. Having also spent a large part of my teenage years growing up around there, it was part of my daily life going to the garage and mixing in with the lads and the former owner Dave.
All the best with it Mally and good luck with the future.”
by motor mate limited
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 8:20PM
“All the best for the future mally, if theres anything i can do to help give me a shout, cheers steve, motor mate.”
by Leveret2
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 1:40PM
“Just when you thought it was safe to go back on the Marsh..”
by Andi62
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 12:23PM
“Breano, you are assuming its arson it may not be have to wait and see, it must of been terrible for the owner to see his livelihood go up in flames, I live in Lord Street luckily not near the garage, and it was awful to hear and see the explosion it is a miracle no one was hurt, after witnessing this I think its best not to build the garage in such a place its far to near homes, god forbid it happens again.”
by Breano
Tuesday, October 02 2012, 10:50AM
“We hope you get up and running soon Mally,don't expect the police to find who did this they are useless,i got broken in a my garage 7 months ago within 5 hours i knew who it was,who crushed the customers car that was taken out of the garage,and who bought the 40k of tools,i gave the police all this information and there reply was,unless the culprits come forward and admit to it there is nothing they can do,well i know who it was and i WILL SORT IT MY WAY WHEN THEY COME BACK TO TOWN.
Tony@tonysautos”