A MAJOR BLAZE has all but wiped out the entire stock of a Moray family business that has been creating popular craft items from old whisky barrels.
Fire services were called to the workshop owned by Barrel Creations at Lower Cabrach at around 4am on Wednesday morning – but they could do little to save the firm’s entire stock.
A nearby pub, the Grouse Inn, was protected from the fire which was reported by a passing motorist who had called in emergency services from the pub.
A fire and rescue team from Dufftown was one of the first on the scene and was supported by another from Aberdeen while a water carrier from Buckie was also deployed to tackle the blaze. They fought for over two hours but were unable to save the building or its stock.
Barrels discarded by whisky producers were turned into wine cabinets, tables and a host of other creations by the company run by the McBain family. The business was started over 30 years ago by Colin McBain, who has insisted that the disaster will not stop them rebuilding the business.
“We have lost a lot of work that needs to be refunded,” Mr McBain told a P&J reporter, adding: “That includes furniture that was made and ready to dispatch to Finland.
“All of our books and accounts have gone as well – you just don’t ever think about something like this happening. But these are the ashes from which we now look to rise from.”
Mr McBain added that he would be looking at the possibility of using farmhouses adjacent to the site as an interim workshop – but warned customers that the firm currently could not be reached by telephone but could still be contacted through their email address.