Fire-hit toy store set to open again after refurb

A MAJOR toy store i n Dundee could be set to reopen its doors by the end of July following months of renovation after a large fire.

The Toys R Us building at the Kingsway West Retail Park was significantly damaged when the blaze took hold in March.

The fire, which was believed to have been started deliberately, raged for nearly two hours before firefighters were able to put it out.

Seven fire engines, including an aerial pump, were sent to the scene to battle the flames when an emergency call was received just after 12.30am on March 3.

The culprits have yet to be traced by police.

Following the fire, Toys R Us announced it was going to take some time to renovate the building and now the Tele can reveal that bosses are hoping to reopen the shop in late July — more than four months after the original incident.

A spokeswoman for the Kingsway West Retail Park said: “Following the fire earlier this year, Toys R Us is currently undergoing refurbishment which is now nearing completion.

“We very much hope that the store will reopen by the end of July with lots of exciting new products in time for the school summer holidays.”

There was visible damage suffered to the outside of the shop and a lorry parked in a loading bay to the rear of the building. But the interior of the store was also affected by extensive smoke damage.

Toys R Us was unable to be reached for comment before going to press today but the store has previously apologised to customers for the inconvenience and asked shoppers to either visit its website to buy goods or travel to the nearest shop 30 miles away in Kirkcaldy.

Staff employed at the shop have been kept on, with some providing information and advice to customers on the phone, while others have been working in different branches.

An investigation into the fire was launched i n the aftermath but a spokeswoman for Police Scotland today confirmed that they still haven’t been able to find the fireraisers.