A fire ripped through the building of a family-run company.
Firefighters from four stations gathered to tackle the massive fire that was spreading at Robinson Car and Commercial in Silloth when the crews were called up shortly after 7 p.m. on Thursday evening.
Ricky Robinson, the company’s director, praised the firefighters for their hard work and dedication to the work after an incident that he said “could have been much worse”.
“As a company, we’re fine,” he said.
“Only when you see her [Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service] Come around the corner when you need them and see how important they are. ”
The fire was in a shed and it was mostly wood that burned.
A shocking video of the fire was shared on social media, but Mr Robinson downplayed the seriousness thanks to the work of the crews.
He said, “It was only wood; I really can’t praise the firefighters enough, they got here very quickly and they were all held back firefighters.
“We’re usually the ones who call them when they break down. So it was strange that this time it was the other way around.”
The crews – from Wigton, Aspatria, Silloth and Maryport – fought the flames for more than three hours before bringing the fire under control.
Crews from other stations in the area were initially called in for assistance, but resigned after the crews managed to gain control and put out the fire.
A Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “On May 13th at 7:04 pm, four fire engines from across the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service were called in with the Joint Task Force of the Workington Fire Station to report an incident in the industrial area of Silloth.
“Upon arrival, the firefighters discovered a fire in a one-story commercial building about 20 by 50 meters using two main nozzles and a hose reel.”
Robinson Car and Commercial is a family-run company and has been an independent workshop since 2010.
The company currently has a contract with Cumbria County Council for the maintenance of the vehicles used by the firefighters.
