Town Centre Motorcycle Shop Devastated By Fire
A fire has gutted PM Racing Team, a motorcycle shop that has been a fixture in Shildon, Teesside, for over 20 years. The blaze caused the shop’s roof to collapse, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. Firefighters from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service were hailed as heroes by shop staff for preventing the fire from spreading to nearby properties.
The fire broke out at 10:12 a.m. on January 13 at the Church Street premises. A total of five fire engines and an aerial ladder platform (ALP) were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters used the ALP to tackle the blaze, and the last crew left the area at 4:02 p.m. A spokesperson for the fire service stated: “At 10:12 a.m., we received a report of a fire within a shop on Church Street in Shildon. Firefighters worked tirelessly, with five fire engines and one ALP attending the scene. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental, and no investigation is required.”
The fire caused significant damage to the shop, but neighbouring properties appear to have suffered minimal or no harm. A cordon was set up, and surrounding businesses were closed temporarily to ensure safety. The cordon was removed by 1:35 p.m., with firefighters leaving the site shortly after at 1:45 p.m. Shop staff expressed gratitude for the quick and effective response of the fire service, acknowledging their efforts in containing the fire and mitigating further damage.
While the devastation to the long-standing business is “heartbreaking,” the swift action of firefighters prevented a potentially worse outcome. An investigation into the fire confirmed it was accidental, with no further inquiries necessary. For the local community, this incident serves as a reminder of the dedication of emergency services in protecting lives and property during emergencies. Some motorbikes have been salvaged from the wreck, but the whole building has been severely damaged.
Although the fire is reported as being accidental it highlights the importance of the fire risk assessment process. In this case the business would have potentially had a mixture of oil, fuel, electricity and batteries within the premises. Any investigation would highlight the existing fire risk assessment and general fire safety measures such as number and type of fire extinguishers. All of this places into focus the vital importance of a robust and professional fire risk assessment.
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