1.5 million CDs destroyed in Sony warehouse inferno
It has been reported that more than 1.5m CDs were destroyed in last week’s Sony warehouse fire.
The main distribution centre in Enfield was burnt down by rioters on the 9th August and is the biggest distributor of independent music in the UK.
Around 40 firefighters tackled the fire on Monday night at the warehouse which totally destroyed the 20,000 square metre building.
Alison Wenham, who chairs the Association of Independent Music, said: “This is a disaster for the music community, but with the fans’ help, labels and artists will survive.”
Scotland Yard have confirmed that three male teenagers have been arrested and charged with violent disorder and arson. Two have been remanded in custody and one has been released on bail.
70 firefighters battle warehouse inferno
More than 70 firefighters from stations across West Yorkshire battled what is thought to be one of the biggest fires ever seen in Huddersfield.
The fire broke out at Oxfam’s Wastesaver site at around 6pm on Saturday and firefighters took 8 hours to get the fire under control but the Beck Road building was destroyed.
The company takes in old clothing donated from across the UK and recycles it. More than 70 people work at the site and there are fears that many will now lose their jobs.
A thick, black cloud of smoke could be seen above the town for miles. Police were forced to close many of the roads in the area which caused chaos for residents and traffic. Locals were advised to stay in their homes with windows and doors closed.
Gareth Franks who is the store manager at a nearby shop said: “some of the staff were in our warehouse when there was an enormous bang. The whole building shook and the doors buckled as if something had hit them. Fire and police officers came over and asked us to evacuate, so we got the shoppers and staff out”.
The fire is thought to have been started by gas cylinders that are used in forklift trucks.