LIKE a phoenix from the ashes, the Warren Trading Centre – which was gutted by fire in May last year – is nearing completion and looking forward to a successful season of business.
Destroyed completely when bins at the back of the complex were set on fire, flames had worked their way into the building and set stock inside alight.
A major concern at the time was the lack of access for emergency vehicles to the Warren and the lack of fire hydrant pressure.
Of the ten appliances from all over the area that attended, only a 4x4 special Ford Ranger light appliance and a 250-gallon water bowser from Dawlish, were able to reach the building, but these alone were not adequate to fight the fire. Hydrant pressure was also a contributing factor to the loss of the property and Gavin Singh, owner, thinks that had the hydrants had ample pressure, the building could have been saved.
Work on the new trading centre started at the end of October and is hoping to be finished by the end of February and be fully operational in March, well in time for the tourist season.
The building is more or less exactly the same except for a few additional safety features that have been added, such as a brick wall to stop access to the back of the shop, special fireproof insulation between the walls and thicker panels in the roof, so if there is another fire, it has a longer burn time as well as additional fire blankets and extinguishers.
Mr Singh is happy with the way work has been going since the fire last year, but feels that the lack of hydrant pressure and access should be addressed.
'It really needs to be sorted,' he said, 'there has always been a problem with the pressure from the hydrant and the access issue really need to be resolved. Negotiations should be taking place with Railtrack so that access over the rail line becomes a reality. Had this been allowed in the first place I believe that the Warren Trading Centre could have been saved.
'When I arrived the fire was only small and had we had the correct equipment, it could have been stopped there. We tried using the bowser, but that didn't have enough water in it. If it had been contained, then it would not have spread and caused the damage that it did.
'That aside, I am very happy that we have a new centre in such a short amount of time, and am grateful to all the various council's who have helped to make this possible.'
Cllr Ted Hockin said: 'I am absolutely delighted to see the replacement shop rising phoenix like from the ashes of the previous building. I complement the Benning Singh family for reinvesting in Dawlish Warren and I have praise for the Teignbridge officers who worked hard to ensure that the building would be up and ready for the 2004 season. With the rebuilding of the shop, the opportunity to make minor changes has been grasped and the colour of the roof has been altered from clashing vivid green to a light grey which blends in with the surroundings.
'Dawlish Warren has a promising future, the car parks have been upgraded and this will continue with lighting to help those visiting the public house and arcade which are open at night. It is very important for tourism that we provide a comprehensive range of facilities for our visitors.'
The Warren Trading Centre will be fully up and functioning by the end of March.