Fire destroys Courts Megastore warehouse

Furniture and appliances at the furniture giant’s warehouse at the Churchill Roosevelt Highway in El Socorro were destroyed in the blaze, company officials said yesterday.

There were also reports that the store’s showroom was damaged.

The fire began at about 4.50 am in the warehouse, fire officials said yesterday.

The origin and cause of the fire, up to late yesterday, was still to be determined.

Fire tenders from the San Juan and Woodbrook Fire Stations arrived on the scene within minutes of the fire.

At the scene of the fire, fire officers, wearing oxygen masks, braved the heat and flames to bring the blaze under control.

A fireman on the scene said they encountered difficulties in trying to get into the building because of the locked steel doors. They eventually managed to get in.

“We were able to gain access into the building through the showroom and through the side and back of the eastern side of the building. We were also able to contain the blaze only in the warehouse section, however, unfortunately everything was destroyed,” the officer said.

One worker who looked on in disbelief said, “we really can’t believe what happened here and how. We are worried what will happen to our jobs now.

Courts’ managing director Earl Le Blanc, said staff will be sent to other branches.

RBTT regional manager, capital market, Paul Popplewell, who handles the Courts’ account for the bank, said he was sent to the site to ensure that financial records of the company and its customers were safe.

“I received information that the warehouse and showroom inventory were completely destroyed.

“However, luckily the head office itself containing all financial records, especially the hire purchase customer records were in tact and not destroyed. That, by itself, was a big relief,” Popplewell told Newsday.

He said despite the loss, the furniture store will be able to conduct its operations at its other branches.

“I don’t see that there would be any big problem. The other branches will definitely carry through and staff, from what I understand will not be displaced,” Popplewell said.