A toy shop in Lancashire has been destroyed by fire in a suspected arson attack.
Joy’s Toys in Morecambe has been trading for 85 years and there are now concerns that the business will not reopen after the devastating blaze. A row of buildings were affected by the fire in Albert Road, including the nearby Gladrags and Handbags shop and the Old Gold Shop, and homes in the street suffered a power cut following a fault in an underground cable.
Fires of this scale are unusual but a good business insurance policy and shop insurance should be a key part of your business plan, whether you are a new business or making changes to the value of stock you hold. Make sure that you also have insurance that covers the fabric of your business premises as well as its contents.
Joy’s Toys was run by Stanley Joy, who is well-known in the local community. One person was evacuated from the premises and treated in hospital for smoke inhalation.
John Brown, who runs nearby Aladdin’s Cave Antiques, also on Albert Road, told the Lancashire Evening Post: “His shop has been a landmark business in the West End for years.
“The business community in the West End will support Stan but I think he will be finishing businesswise.
“It’s just another long standing business that has gone in Morecambe. It went up like an inferno.”
Seven fire engines attended the blaze, which spread to other properties in the street, and took a number of hours to bring under control. Police said there was “extensive damage” to the toy shop.
Joy’s Toys has been operating from the street since 1930 and is one of a number of shops on the street that has a long heritage.
The cause of the fire is being investigated. Three teenagers have been arrested and questioned about the fire.