Owners of a second-hand book shop have been left "distraught" after losing everything to an overnight fire
Up to 30 firefighters tackled a blaze overnight at Berwyn Books and Cheshire Book Centre on Spencer Industrial Estate in Buckley, Flintshire, having been called to the scene around 5pm on Tuesday evening (November 16).
The fire broke out across the two rare book storage units on the estate, with local residents told to keep their windows and doors shut and drivers urged to avoid the area by the fire service. You can follow live updates of the incident here.
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North Wales Fire and Rescue Service (NWFRS) confirmed that eight fire engines battled the blaze at its height overnight, while three were still at the scene on Wednesday morning, engaging in damping down efforts.
The cause of the fire has yet to be confirmed, with an investigation into how it started likely to take place soon.
While there have been no reported injuries, the unit owned by Berwyn Books has been completely destroyed by the blaze, with pictures from the scene showing its torched signage and gutted interior.
The store, combined with combined with sister company Cheshire Book Centre, is one of the largest online book retailers in the UK.
A statement posted to the store's Facebook page read: "As I’m sure many of you are aware, there was a fire at our shop last night. We’d love to tell you it was only a small incident, but unfortunately that’s not the case. The fire spread across the whole premises. We don’t really know what to say, except everything’s gone.
"We just want to let everyone know the situation. Obviously, the shop is closed. As of now, everything is on hold, and we don’t know what is going to be happening in the future. If you placed an order with us online, we are currently working through contacting everyone to refund you your money. Please bear with us while we do this.
"We are extremely fortunate that no one was in the building at the time, and all our team, though obviously distraught at these events, are physically safe and well.
"We also want to say thank you to the Fire Department. Dozens of officers worked all night to stop the fire, they were all lovely and did everything they could to help.
"We will try to update you all we have more information. Until then, we ask for your patience and consideration during this awful time."
After the fire was brought under control on Wednesday morning, a spokesperson for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: "Fire crews have been dealing with an incident overnight involving a fire at a large commercial warehouse on an industrial estate in Flintshire.
"Fire appliances remain in attendance this morning. Appliances from North Wales Fire and Rescue Service were mobilised to the fire at 17.01hrs yesterday.
"At the height of the incident, eight fire appliances were tackling the fire at the warehouse on the Spencer Industrial Estate in Drury near Buckley, which was affecting several storage units containing a large quantity of books. Local residents were advised to close windows and doors as a precaution and advice was also issued for traffic to avoid the area."
"An aerial ladder platform, high volume pump and incident command unit were also mobilised.
"Firefighters remain at the scene this morning monitoring remaining hotspots and North Wales Police are also in attendance to manage the traffic. A cause for the fire has not yet been confirmed."
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