Antiques centre aims to rise from the ashes

Station Mill Antiques Centre sold antiques from more than 80 dealers, and had clients including celebrities and film prop departments.

It was severely damaged in a fire started by an electrical fault on September 5.

About a third of the building and the roof were destroyed, but concrete walls and the quick response of the fire service kept most of the antiques safe.

It will be refurbished and should be open by the spring of next year, said store owner Lesley Langer.

He said: “It was upsetting to see that the fire could catch hold so quickly, but we are all relieved to see that it was contained to one area and that not much was destroyed.”

It took seven fire crews from Banbury, Chipping Norton, Hook Norton and Charlbury two hours to tackle the fire, which started at 5.30pm – just 30 minutes after the centre had closed.

The fire was so fierce that within 15 minutes flames could be seen through the roof.

The first floor, which bore the brunt of the damage, contained a collection of new home furnishings, most of which were owned by Mrs Langer.

The majority of the antiques were on the ground floor, and, although water-damaged, they were salvageable.

Mrs Langer said: “It’s pretty awful, but it’s not all doom and gloom.

“The building took the worst of it, and that can at least be mended.”

Mrs Langer said she did not know the total value of what was destroyed or the exact cause of the fire.

The centre has been trading for about 12 years and Mrs Langer said it was one of the biggest in the country.

The clean-up will start next week and the company hopes to have contractors in during January.

Mrs Langer said: “We are definitely reopening and it will be bigger, better, newer and fresher than before.

“It’s something to look forward to.”

She said the support from everyone had been wonderful, adding: “For the dealers it’s been quite upsetting, but they are all keen to come back and reopen.”