Two car repair businesses have suffered severe fire damage in a blaze that broke out on an industrial estate in Middlesbrough.
Firefighters spent two hours on Saturday afternoon (8 November) getting the flames under control, but the AA Motors and neighbouring K&E Motors units suffered substantial damage as a result. The incident at the Riverside Park Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough, is now the subject of an investigation to find the currently unknown cause for the fire.
For the garages, the clean up operation will now begin, and this is when the true value of a combined motor trade insurance policy becomes clear. Not only do car garages require road risks insurance policies for mechanics to be able to drive customers’ vehicles for business purposes, the other elements of a combined traders’ policy can ensure vehicles, equipment and spare parts stored on site are protected against damage in fires such as this while also offering cover for the premises itself. This insurance will help the businesses to get back on their feet without facing huge costs to repair and replace goods.
A spokeswoman for the Cleveland Fire Brigade confirmed the scale of the damage: "The majority of damage was to AA Motors; there was 100 per cent damage to the roof, 13 to15 vehicles damaged, assorted car spares and garage equipment were destroyed by fire. The next door unit, K & E Motors, this unit had several vehicles damaged."
Before the investigation can get underway, police will need to check the structural integrity of the buildings in question, the Northern Echo reported.
