The community has rallied around the PM Racing Team motorbike shop on Church Street in Shildon – after a devastating blaze broke out just after 10am yesterday (January 13) and decimated the building.
Five fire engines from across the county rushed to the scene of the fire which saw flames rise from the roof as onlookers watched on with horror.
(Image: Joanna Guy-Fisher) The owner, known in the community as Patrick, was not injured in the fire but could only watch on helplessly as his beloved shop burned.
Now, less than 24 hours after the blaze, a GoFundMe fundraiser has been set up to “help Patrick get his shop back” and has already raised £1,030.
The woman who set up the fundraiser, Lillie Young, wrote: “We’re all absolutely gutted for him that his bike shop has burnt down after 22 years and a lot of effort and hard work.
“We would love it if everyone could chip in even just a little bit to help pay for anything he needs to build his business back up.
(Image: NORTHERN ECHO) “He’s a lovely man and would help anyone that needed it. He’s an absolute staple to the community!”
The hours that followed the fire saw multiple residents gather at a police-monitored cordon, many of whom had heard of the blaze and came down to see what had happened.
Kelly Nelson, 45, who works at sunbed shop Tanned Up, said: “I was just working and I saw the fire engines come past – then I saw people coming out to watch what was happening.
“The smoke was just bellowing out.
“Then within 20 minutes it just went bang, a huge blaze. I heard a popping noise. It was horrendous.
(Image: The Northern Echo) “The poor owner was standing outside the shop and I told him I was so sorry for what had happened. It’s heartbreaking.
“He told me, ‘I’ve been here 22 years and it’s just gone like that’.
“I had to walk away at that point because I was sobbing, crying my eyes out.
“He’s not been injured – but this is just absolutely devastating. There are no words that could ever amount to this. He’s very well known around here. I have had people from other businesses in here who were told to leave. The community is really looking out for each other.”
Aik Milan, 28, is one of the owners of neighbouring shop Top Cuts Barbers. He referred to Patrick as his “best friend” – and alongside his brother was one of the first people to help him recover his belongings from the rubble.
He told The Northern Echo: “I was cutting hair, and someone rushed into the shop and told me there was a really big fire.
“I ran, and so did our customers. At first, it wasn’t very big but by the time the firefighters arrived it was a huge blaze.
(Image: NORTHERN ECHO) “When I ran out, the owner was already out safe and explained he tried to control it but it just kept going.”
The latest update from the fire service today (January 14) confirmed the fire was accidental and no investigation will be conducted.
A County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) spokesperson said: “We were called to a fire at a shop on Church Street in Shildon at 10.12am yesterday (Monday, January 13).
“We immediately deployed firefighters to the area with a total of five fire engines from Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe, Darlington and Spennymoor in attendance, along with one aerial ladder platform (ALP) from Durham.
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“Firefighters used the ALP to extinguish the fire, with the last engine leaving the scene at 4.02pm.
“The cause of the fire was accidental and there is no requirement for an investigation. No one was injured in the incident.
“We would like to thank the public for their cooperation and support during this incident.”