‘Devastating’ fire destroys HQ of baby gifts business
A Northampton business has been hit by a ‘devastating’ fire which tore through its head office and distribution centre last Friday.
The blaze ripped through the Brackmills distribution hub of My 1st Years, a firm which sells personalised baby gifts and employs 150 people.
At the height of the blaze eight appliances from Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue were at the scene, including one high volume pump, two aerial appliances and two water bowsers.
At the height of the blaze eight appliances were at the scene, including one high volume pump, two aerial appliances and two water bowsers.
The fire has now reduced but is still alight in places.
2/5 pic.twitter.com/PCHXOmGLKc— Northamptonshire Fire & Rescue (@northantsfire) May 1, 2021
Daniel Price and Jonny Sitton, owners of My 1st Years, have issued a statement around the incident, which occured in the early hours of Saturday morning (May 1).
They said: “While this is a devastating blow to the company and our 150 employees, just at a time when our business was hitting new heights, our overriding feeling is one of relief that no injuries or deaths have occured.
“We are life-long friends and have built this company from the ground up over a long and gruelling decade. Given the optimism we had been feeling of late, with the pandemic easing and business hitting record levels, this feels like a cruel blow at the worst possible moment. However, we want to reassure the public that we will overcome this.”
“Please be patient with us, while we cannot accept orders at the moment we will keep you updated every step of the way back.”
They duo say they have lost what has been the home of the company for seven years, with the building has been completely destroyed, along with machinery and photography studio.
They added: “This is a staggering setback. But our USP is our personalisation on every item, our dedication, and our passion. That has not been lost. For that reason we know we will come back stronger than ever.
“We have always designed and personalised everything here in the UK, and no matter what happens now that will never change.
“Strategic discussions are already taking place as to how we can get our goods back into the hands of our treasured customers as quickly as possible.
“In closing, we would like to thank the men and women from Northamptonshire fire brigade for their bravery at the site.”
