Fish firm staff trapped after escooter blazend

Workers at a Torry fish firm had to be evacuated after becoming trapped in the building when a blaze broke out.

Staff at J Law fish wholesaler even used a forklift to tear an opening in the window as the warehouse filled up with thick black smoke.

Fire crews rushed to the scene in Sinclair Road yesterday after an escooter went up in flames.

The scooters, used to transport workers to and from the warehouse, caught fire while charging around 9am.

The resulting blaze ripped through the upper floors of the business which left a number of staff unable to escape.

The forklift was used to create an opening for staff to escape if they needed to.

Fortunately, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service responded within five minutes to put out the source of the fire and guide those trapped to safety.

Co-owners of the fishmongers Christopher and John Law, told of the heart in mouth moment they realised their colleagues had been trapped inside by the blaze.

After they were unable to guide their colleagues out to safety, they said they were just relieved that everyone was unscathed in the end.

Christopher, 35, said: “The smoke was just that thick, we couldn’t even get back up the stairs.

“The fire service were here really quick, they were here in about five minutes.

“It was a good thing because there were five people still stuck up there, that’s why the upstairs window was all bashed in.

“It was really scary stuff but luckily everyone was out okay – that’s the main thing.”

John, 42, was also anxious to go back inside to assess the damage to the familyowned business.

“We can’t get in to check the extent of the damage to stock or anything like that, so we will just need to wait and see.”

One worker from the garage next door said: “Their office next door, they’ve got electric scooters upstairs.

“It looks like some sort of electric fire but obviously the investigators still need to finish doing their jobs.

“They charge them up to go to and from work, I think it’s just short-circuited out from there.”

The fire service say it was reported just after 2pm on Tuesday April 16, with crews dispatched to the scene.

Pictures by Kenny Elrick. SCARE: Emergency services at the fish wholesalers in Torry.

Workers had to be evacuated from the building.