Independent garage destroyed after blaze ripped through workshop

Friends and family chip-in and raise funds to support devastated garage owner

Independent garage destroyed after blaze ripped through workshop
Image: Danny Russell.

More than £1,500 has so far been raised for an independent garage owner after a fire ripped through his business.

Danny Russell feared for his safety as he watch his workshops, DR Car Repairs in Dartford, go up in flames on August 8.

He said: “I went outside and had a look around and embers were coming down on top of me.

“I have never seen fire spread so fast and so quickly, it was a nightmare.”

“I was trying to stamp some of the fire out with my foot.

“I used all my fire extinguishers but they didn’t really do anything.

“I thought I’m going to lose my life if I stay here trying to stop it from spreading.”

Danny resorted to throwing buckets of water to douse the flames but they soon spread to nearby caravans containing gas cylinders which started to explode.

The blaze completely destroyed the garage, including thousands of pounds worth of tools, equipment and customer vehicles.

He added: “Having to make that phone call to tell my customers their cars had been damaged or completely gone in a fire was gut wrenching but they were all very understanding.

“You put your heart and soul into building your own business and you do everything you can to save it.

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“It is like having your own child, you have raised it and built it up into what it is.”

Danny explained that he’s currently going through “the long process” with his insurance company.

The fire came just weeks after the birth of his son Henry.

Friend Michaela Palmer set up a GoFundMe page to help Danny and his family while they await news from the investigation.

Danny said: “A lot of people have offered vans and tools and a couple of friends said when we have found a new place they will help me to build another office free of cost.

“The support we have had has been amazing. It has kept my morale and my spirit up.”

The cause of the fire has not yet been established, Kent Fire and Rescue Service has said.

2 Comments

  1. Bit funny. The fire detection team can pinpoint exact cause

    As he was there should be quite easy to find

    Reply
  2. Seems funny to me I could understand if it started in the middle of the night ran my own garage for 35 years MOT and Bodyshop believe me I would know how a fire started if I was there does not add up

    Reply

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