Wolverhampton garage gutted in blaze ahead of opening
A garage containing hundreds of tyres has been destroyed by flames after being attacked by arsonists – hours before it was due to open to customers for its first day of trading.
Jam Khan invested £500,000 in buying the Premier Tyres premises in Wolverhampton and ploughed a further £90,000 into fitting it out.
But the devastated business owner was today surveying the damage following the blaze at the Crown Street site in Dunstall, which took hold at 11.25 last night.
And he today offered a £5,000 reward for anyone who could provide information leading to the conviction of those responsible.
He said: "I can't believe anyone could do this. I was burgled back in 2009 but I've never had anything as bad as this happen to me."
More than 250 tyres were burnt on wall-mounted racks, hundreds more damaged and MOT testing equipment and tyre-changing machines destroyed.
The flames also ripped two holes out of the roof and caused the walls to bend out of shape.
Mr Khan estimated the trail of destruction would cost around £60,000 to replace, before calculating the costs of repairing the premises itself. The opening day has now been postponed.
The 42-year-old, from Wolverhampton, added: "I've put all my savings into this. I can't find the words to describe how I'm feeling." Firefighters said the shutters were forced at Premier Tyres before the premises was set alight.
After seeing he could no longer secure the site and remaining stock after the fire service left, Mr Khan stayed outside his business all night in his work van before being able to contact his insurersat 9am today.
A Ford Escort was found inside the doors of the premises which is believed to have been used by those who broke in. It is being examined by forensic experts.
Police spokesman Lee Page said: "Initial enquiries suggest the fire was started deliberately."
Anyone with information should call police on 101.
