Birch’s to rebuild after huge factory fire

DESPITE the massive impact the fire that gutted the Birch’s Clothing factory in Grahamstown last week has had on the business, the rebuilding process has already begun, Birch’s director Nick Mowbray said.

The clothing factory, which carries a vast array of academic and legal attire as well as school and municipal uniforms, went up in flames on Thursday last week.

The fire reduced a large section of the factory, including offices, storerooms, a cutting area and materials, to ashes.

A house adjacent to the factory was also damaged in the blaze.

“I was alerted at around 5.45pm on Thursday,” Mowbray said.

Contingency plans had been put in place to ensure production was up and running in the interim, he said.

These included ordering in new raw materials, setting up a cutting area to feed the manufacturing section – which was not affected by the fire – setting up office space to accommodate the sales team, and ordering replacement equipment.

Mowbray said these plans would continue while the burnt part of the factory was being rebuilt.

“At this stage we do not know what caused the fire, but forensic investigators are looking into it,” he said.

The Burgess family property, which consisted of a garden flat and mechanical workshop, was also consumed by the blaze.

Four cars, understood to have been in the yard next door, caught alight and exploded.

Mowbray said the factory’s raw materials stock, sales office and cutting room had suffered extensive damage.

However, the company was not anticipating any job losses.

He also said no major interruptions of any graduation ceremonies were expected.

“While the fire has had a significant impact on our business, we will move forward and rebuild,” Mowbray said.

Police spokeswoman Captain Mali Govender said no foul play was suspected.

Makana Fire and Rescue Services assistant director William Welkom could not be reached for comment.