Fire guts bike shop

Fire ripped through a Woy Woy bicycle store last Wednesday afternoon, July 5.

The Bicycle Store, on Railway St, Woy Woy, was gutted by the fire, according to the owner's father Mr Frank Williams.

Mr Williams said that the fire was caused by either a lithium ion battery or its charger, which caught alight and exploded.

"He just leapt out the door.

"There was a terrific explosion," Mr Williams said of his son, Paul.

"There was brake fluid underneath the table where the battery was being charged."

Mr Williams said the building was now bare inside, with the fire melting motors and turning tyres to strands of wire.

Mr Williams said he believed the building might have to be destroyed due to the damage caused.

The wiring inside the building was also burnt out, leaving the neighbouring massage therapist without power.

Mr Williams said the fire caused about $250,000 damage to the building, with about $110,000 of stock also lost in the blaze.

"We have written off most of it," Mr Williams said.

Mr Williams said the fire brigade and police remained on site for a couple of hours.

"I was personally impressed by the fire brigade and police.

"They were very courteous and got there very quickly," Mr Williams said.

Mr Williams said they were hopeful of moving into new premises a few doors up the street this week.

He said the business had a web-based component was run from home and was still trading.

Internet customers would not notice a difference, he said.

Lyle Stone, July 5