60,000 bottles of fine wine lost in fire
But owner Paddy Keogh has already found a new warehouse, has replacement stock on the way and expects business to be back to normal by Friday.
“It is just too good a business to let go,” said Mr Keogh speaking from his home, now serving as his temporary office, yesterday.
Just hours earlier he had watched the business he built from the ground almost go up in smoke with the fire at the premises near Columb Military Barracks in Mullingar.
As the blaze raged, corks could be heard popping on the expensive bottles, which were being heated by the flames.
It took three fire crews more than two hours to get the blaze under control and stop it spreading to adjacent business premises.
“We left the place at 7.30pm and at 8.45pm got the call that it was in flames,” he said. “It is a considerable blow, but thanks be to God that no one was injured.
“There was a lot of Christmas packaging and a lot of stock. The business we are in is supplying all of the restaurant scene around Dublin and nationwide but we pre-prepare everything in Mullingar. The fire destroyed thousands of cases, all of the offices and communications and the retail outlet. None of it was recoverable.
“However, the Westmeath fire brigade were brilliant and that enabled us to get in there, find the computer server and save it.”
Before the evening was over Mr Keogh had already found a new warehouse from which to operate the business. “We did a deal with the owners and have got the phones put in today.
“We have new office equipment coming this afternoon and by tomorrow we will have the computers back in. On Thursday we will have the new stock in from Dublin and we will continue business as usual.
“The reps are already out on the road telling the customers it is business as usual and there is no problem.”
Gardaí are investigating reports that fireworks were being used close to the building immediately prior to the fire.
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