'˜It won't defeat us' - Sidley firm defiant after blaze

The owner of a kitchen firm, which was seriously damaged by fire, has vowed the episode will not defeat his team, promising the business will come back '˜stronger than ever'.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Apr 2017, 09:54 BST
Updated 9th May 2017, 18:52 BST

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Fire damage at R & R Kitchens, Sidley. SUS-170504-151011001Fire damage at R & R Kitchens, Sidley. SUS-170504-151011001
Fire damage at R & R Kitchens, Sidley. SUS-170504-151011001

The blaze broke out in a doorway of R&R Kitchens in Ninfield Road, Sidley, just after 12.30am on Wednesday (April 5).

Managing director Steve Roller found out about the fire after receiving a call from a colleague at 7.30am.

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But as firefighters were inspecting the building, he wasn’t allowed inside his shop until four hours later.

Fire damage at R & R Kitchens, Sidley. SUS-170504-150952001Fire damage at R & R Kitchens, Sidley. SUS-170504-150952001
Fire damage at R & R Kitchens, Sidley. SUS-170504-150952001

He told the Observer: “I could not believe the damage.

“It was totally destroyed. Everything in there has got to be thrown away to start again.

“It’s very, very sad. Not just for me, but all the people who work here.”

Although East Sussex Fire and Rescue has yet to comment on what caused the fire, and an investigation is underway, Mr Roller says he was told a wheelie bin had been set alight outside a door leading to the property.

Fire in Ninfield Road, Sidley. Picture by Justin Lycett. SUS-170504-124206001Fire in Ninfield Road, Sidley. Picture by Justin Lycett. SUS-170504-124206001
Fire in Ninfield Road, Sidley. Picture by Justin Lycett. SUS-170504-124206001
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The flat above the shop also sustained smoke damage in the fire, but luckily the occupant was away on the night of the incident.

R&R Kitchens has been trading in Sidley for three decades and Mr Roller says the shop has never experienced any trouble before.

He said: “We have always found the Sidley community to be wonderful.

“It’s the first time we have ever had a problem.”

Fire damage at R & R Kitchens, Sidley. SUS-170504-150952001Fire damage at R & R Kitchens, Sidley. SUS-170504-150952001
Fire damage at R & R Kitchens, Sidley. SUS-170504-150952001

R&R Kitchens is continuing to trade out of the Bathroom Studio a couple of doors down.

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Mr Roller said: “We have been trading for 30 years and we won’t let this bring us to an end. We will not let it get us down.

“We are working hard. We are going to roll our sleeves up and keep trading and come back stronger than ever. It won’t defeat us.”

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Fire in Ninfield Road, Sidley. Picture by Justin Lycett. SUS-170504-124206001Fire in Ninfield Road, Sidley. Picture by Justin Lycett. SUS-170504-124206001
Fire in Ninfield Road, Sidley. Picture by Justin Lycett. SUS-170504-124206001

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