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Gloucestershire Business News

EXCLUSIVE: 'Inferno' blaze triggers party plan to rescue business

A devastating fire on an industrial estate on the edge of a Cotswold town has left several businesses reeling - with one saying it would have to cease trading.

But well-wishers in Tetbury are staging a fightback with a fundraising summer party already being planned.

A resident living close to the Old Quarries Industrial Estate, just off the Long Newnton road and opposite Tetbury Hospital on the B4014, spotted the fire at around 3.00am on Saturday.

Despite the efforts of several fire crews, Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Services remained at the site known locally as "the hole in the ground", with remnants of the fire still being contained 12 hours later.

Gavin Kennett, who owns VDS Performance Tuning Ltd, said that his own business had been thankfully spared but that neighbouring firms had been hit after the fire "ripped through three units" on the ground and first floor of the complex.

He said the fire is believed to have begun spontaneously in the premises of a garden machine repair unit.

Mr Kennett added: "It was just an inferno."

Another business which operates car repairs and is run by a 74-year-old Neal Vater is reported to have been badly hit by the blaze – but Tetbury-based painter and decorator Mark Moore, who is also a DJ who has played at the Ministry of Sound, has since announced a plan to raise funds and help Mr Vater rebuild his workplace.

Known on the DJ circuit as "Moggy", Mr Moore launched the appeal on social media: "All who know the devasting fire that happened down the hole in the ground, know of Neal from Tetbury who has lost all of his business."

He added: "Hopefully the profit from this event will help Neal a little bit get back on his feet.

Come along for a cracking night of dance music and to support Neal get back up and running."

● The fundraiser on May 31 will be a ticket-only event at the Dolphins Hall, from 8.00pm to midnight and featuring music ranging from "old-skool 90s, Ibiza trance, up until modern day dance music." tickets are priced at £10 and can be bought here .

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