Main Street fires ‘accidental’
TWO MAIN STREET fires which occurred in the past weeks were purely accidental, according to gardaí.
Superintendent Pat Ward said that gardai have carried out examinations and there is nothing at all to indicate that the fires in Bray were started deliberately.
He said that the fact two similar fires happened within a short period of time was coincidental. ‘As far as we are concerned they were accidental,’ said Supt Ward.
A blaze which started in the Florentine bar in the early hours of January 4 spread to the rest of the building, including Maguire McNeice solicitors and Hilton’s pharmacy next door.
The following Monday morning, a fire broke out at Peter’s Pizza, also on the Main Street, destroying that premises and causing damage to the Baptist Church upstairs.
Pharmacy owner Karl Hilton said this week that he is actively looking for new premises to occupy and expects to be able to make an announcement in the coming week.
In the meantime, there is a hub on the corner of the Main Street and Quinsboro Road where customer’s can go for information about their prescriptions and customer service.
All files electronic and paper are in the Cornelscourt branch. People can get them dispensed there, or have delivery arranged.
‘We’re trying to accommodate all of our customers,’ said Karl, who also paid trib- ute to the huge efforts the staff have been making in the aftermath of the fire. He said that the usual phone number is operating.
Members of staff, too, said that they are very grateful to Karl who has been doing everything possible to reassure them and secure new premises until such time as the fire damaged store is refurbished. They added that customers have been very generous, caring and concerned for the team after the disaster.
Members of the Bray team are available both in the Bray hub and in Cornelscourt, and the usual phone number is still operating.
‘We felt it was important to get a customer care centre up as quickly as possible, and people have been using it,’ said Karl. ‘We employ 15 very dedicated members of staff, many of whom have been with us for years,’ he said. He also said that he and the team are very grateful to fellow pharmacist Paul Burns at nearby Feel Good pharmacy, who was one of the first people to make contact following the fire, and offered space for the hub.