'Business as usual' despite factory fire

The operator of a marine repair business, boat dealership and marine supply store will continue "business as usual" after his Woy Woy factory burnt to the ground two weeks ago..

Despite feeling "devastated", Umina X-treme Marine owner Mr Don Terrill said: "I'll be going mobile and operating out of another factory, to get the business back on its feet.".

Umina Fire and Rescue Unit was called to a factory fire at 15 Alma Ave, Woy Woy, around the corner from the fire station, at 5am on Wednesday, January 8.

Station officer Mr Gordon Jones said a man working in the bakery across the road raised the alarm and then checked surrounding buildings to make sure no one was inside.

"It was quite a dangerous environment for fire crews with explosions from gas bottles and other products," Mr Jones said.

"Police evacuated neighbouring properties and especially the residences at the back of the factory because when we first got there we thought the fire could spread.

"After an aggressive attack by about 40 firefighters and 10 appliances, we managed to contain the fire to just one premises."

Mr Jones said Umina fire brigade was assisted by others from Toukley, Gosford, Terrigal, Bateau Bay, Saratoga and Kincumber to bring the fire under control.

"The initial extinguishment took about three hours and crews returned in the afternoon and again the following morning to put out flare ups and eventually we had to bring in a truck from Toronto to cover the site in a foam blanket to fully extinguish the whole thing," Mr Jones said.

Investigators spent the day examining the scene to determine the cause of the fire and the investigation is ongoing.

Mr Terrill said it was thought to be an electrical fault.

"I'm devastated," he said.

"To spend 16 to 18 hours a day working to build up the business just to watch it all burn in front of me.

"There was a heap of stock in there: my own boats that I was doing up, parts, motors, jet skis, the lot."

Mr Terrill moved his business into the Alma Ave factory in 2010 after operating a successful mobile service and repair business in the area for many years.

"I'll scrape some tools together and go back to where I started - doing mobile work and find another factory," he said.

"I just have to stay positive and get going to rebuild - and I want all my customers to know that it's business as usual," Mr Terrill said. SOURCE Interview (Sue Murray), 12 Jan 2020 Don Terrill, Umina X-treme Marine Website, 8 Jan 2020 Interview (Sue Murray), 12 Jan 2020 Gordon Jones, Fire and Rescue NSW