Owner feared historic Sheffield family business would be destroyed in huge fire

Rails of Sheffield director Adam Davies outside the store.

No fewer than seven fire engines rushed to Chesterfield Road on Sunday morning after the blaze started at the Traditional Windows shop and spread next door on both sides to Rails of Sheffield and Milan’s Pizza.

A 75-year-old man living in a flat above the shops was taken to hospital and remains in a critical condition.

Adam Davies, 37, director at Rails of Sheffield, described the roof of the building, which was partially destroyed, as a ‘matchbox’ due to its wooden structure.

All the stock inside the store must now be cleaned.

He added: “It could have been a hell of a lot worse.

"One of the firemen said when he first got here he thought they were going to lose the whole row because it was that hot.”

Two Rails of Sheffield staff members who live above the shop, Ian and Frank, also had to be evacuated to safety.

Adam said: “They were very shaken up when we first got here. Ian’s eyes were black from the smoke.”

The fire also gutted the building's roof. Photo: Adam Davies

The shop will need a entire new front after firefighters destroyed the shutters, door and display window to gain entry, Adam said.

The entrance door to the upstairs flat was also ruined as well as lights on the shop’s signage.

Adam said: "The cost will probably run into the tens of thousands.

"It’s just a bit of a mess really.”

The inside of the shop has been smoke-damaged and soot has covered the stock, which must now be taken off sale online for it to be cleaned.

Adam said: "We must have a thousand or more models on display, so if each one of them has to come out it’s just upheaval to sort everything out.

“We employ 30 members of staff, it’s quite a lot of people. If we were unable to trade it has an impact on their lives.”

An investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.

Adam has been told the cost of the damage can be claimed on the Fire Service’s insurance.