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Blacksmith ‘still suffering consequences’ after Underfall Yard fire
A blacksmith whose business was destroyed during the fire at Underfall Yard claims she has been treated in an “awful and disgusting way” since the blaze.
Joanna Williams of Fire Iron Art lost her entire workshop in the fire in May 2023.
The fire was started by a serial arsonist who had begun his job as maintenance manager at Underfall Yard just three days previously.
is needed now More than ever
A crowdfunding campaign has raised more than £18,000 to help Williams.
Another crowdunder organised by the Underfall Yard Trust raised £69,000 in the year the fire occurred, with the trust investing around £9,000 of this in immediate clear-up and making the site safe, with the remainder ringfenced towards the restoration project which is expected to cost £2.8m.
Writing on Facebook, Williams said: “I am a victim, a person who lost everything and it’s my workshop that keeps being used in the press as it is such an image of devastating destruction, but no one wants to help me.
“I was not insured and the loss is not just business but personal.
“I have lost my future, my life has been destroyed and I am still suffering the consequences.”
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Underfall Yard director Sarah Murray said: “We fully understand, and feel, the impact that the fire in 2023 has had on everyone connected to Underfall Yard.
“Our team has supported affected businesses by offering them alternative workshop and storage space and providing access to temporary shipping containers on the site, which three tenants accessed.
“We’ve kept tenants regularly updated and have always been clear that we cannot as a charity provide direct financial support to individual businesses.
“Any funds raised through donations are strictly ringfenced for emergency work and restoring Underfall Yard.”
Murray added: “While this has been an extremely challenging time, we are moving forward positively with the inspiring support of our tenants, volunteers and the local community.
“Our plans for restoration are approved, we have agreements in place with insurers and Bristol City Council to progress with future phases of work and are looking to secure additional funding to support the restoration.
“We are hugely grateful for the overwhelming support from the public, the wider community and our tenants.
“I know from what they tell us that they back our plans and look forward to seeing the next steps happen.
“None of this is to dismiss concerns raised by a former tenant who was uninsured at the time of the fire. We are very saddened by the distress she has experienced, but there are limits to the support we can offer.
“We remain open to discuss the situation with anyone who wants to find out more about the restoration programme.”
Main photo & video: Martin Booth
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