A FIRE-hit convenience store in Cradley has re-opened more than two months after flames destroyed thousands of pounds worth of stock and electrical equipment.
Raf and Nazma Ali were forced to close the Safebuys store, Colley Lane, while repairs were carried out following the blaze, caused by an electrical fault, on July 31.
Mrs Ali said:”Everything was ruined. The alarm system, air conditioning, everything electrical, was burnt out. The ceiling fell down behind the counter, where we kept all of the cigarettes and alcohol and the rest of the stock was smoke damaged. It has cost around £40,000 to replace everything.”
They kept the business going during the repair work by allowing customers to collect their newspapers and other items at the front door.
Mrs Ali said the the experience had been “a nightmare” but it felt “really good” to re-open.
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