Jobs saved at Sheffield haulage firm hit by 'demolition derby' wrecking spree

A Sheffield haulage firm - left in ruin after a huge arson attack - will have a future and there will be no job losses, the company owner has confirmed.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th Apr 2018, 09:40 BST
Updated 24th Apr 2018, 09:46 BST
The wrecked yard.The wrecked yard.
The wrecked yard.

Vandals broke into R Cox Haulage Ltd in Darnall and smashed lorries together in what looked like a scene from a 'demolition derby' before setting buildings on fire.

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PICTURES: Police confirm investigation after 'demolition derby' wrecking spree a...
One of the smashed lorries.One of the smashed lorries.
One of the smashed lorries.

But the company owner Robert Rounce confirmed it will have a future and everyone will keep their jobs at the workforce of seven thanks to the support of their clients.

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The 50-year-old Worksop man said: "The fire destroyed invoices and other important paperwork and left the place a wreck.

"We were concerned that we would not be able to serve our customers but we have got new temporary officers and have rented a lorry so we are still operational and meeting orders.

"All of our clients have stuck by us and they are helping with looking for invoices. Their support has been amazing."

The result of the attack.The result of the attack.
The result of the attack.

Vandals smashed their way into the company's yard sometime late on Thursday, April 12, before going on a wrecking spree.

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Mr Rounce told how they stole keys to lorries and smashed them into each other, buildings and a gate leaving the place looking like the aftermath of a 'demolition derby'.

They then set fire to the company's main office and a caravan causing further damage. It is also thought the yobs drank beer while carrying out the attack as empty cans were left strewn across the site.

The wrecked yard.The wrecked yard.
The wrecked yard.

READ MORE: Probe underway into blaze involving cars and vans at Sheffield repair centre

In total there were four HGVs damaged, two vans and a pick-up truck.

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Vehicle repair company WTR Ltd, which shares part of the same yard, is also believed to have seen damage caused to its vehicles and a garage.

Mr Rounce said CCTV from a neighbouring business caught two men walking away from the scene while drinking from what is thought to be beer cans at around the time of the incident.

Firefighters tackling the blaze.Firefighters tackling the blaze.
Firefighters tackling the blaze.

They were both aged about 20 and wore hooded tops and baseball caps.

A hard drive of the company's CCTV coverage has been recovered from the site and has been handed to police.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police on 101.

Related topics:JobsSheffieldWorksop