A huge fire has destroyed a Speyside family business and reduced stock worth thousands of pounds to ashes.
Barrel Creations’ premises was engulfed by a massive blaze in the early hours of yesterday.
No one was injured in the incident – but firefighters had to battle to stop the flames spreading to a neighbouring pub.
The remains of their workshop were still smouldering when members of the McBain family who run Barrel Creations went to inspect what was left of the premises.
But they immediately vowed to get the business back on its feet.
Colin McBain and his son Donald operate Barrel Creations at Lower Cabrach, hand-crafting casks once used by local distilleries into home and garden furniture.
Their workshop caught fire around 4am yesterday within hours the firm’s entire stock had been destroyed.
Firefighters managed to stop the flames spreading to the neighbouring Grouse Inn pub, which is run by Mr McBain sen’s sister-in-law Wilma.
A passing motorist spotted the blaze and dialled 999 from the inn.
Mr McBain sen, 71, said: “I was called about the fire in the early hours, but was led to believe it was in the pub next to our site.
“When we arrived here I just said ‘God almighty, it’s our place that was on fire’. It was a real shock.”
His 41-year-old son added: “Everything is just gone, walking around the place I keep remembering where things used to be.
“The trees between the warehouse and the pub had caught fire, so if the crews hadn’t arrived in time then it could easily have spread.”
His 14-year-old son Kyle, who occasionally helps out at Barrel Creations, added: “My heart just dropped when I realised what had happened – the building and everything in it had just been left as nothing.”
But Colin McBain, who started the business in 1982, said the family would find a way to keep going – despite the thousands of pounds of damage caused to stock and equipment.
He said: “We have lost a lot of work that needs to be refunded, including furniture which was made and ready to be dispatched to Finland.
“And 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 which we now will look to rise from.”
Mr McBain plans to examine using farmhouses adjacent to his site as an interim workshop while plans are made to rebuild the property.
The firm cannot be reached by telephone, but inquiries can still be made via e-mail.
Wilma McBain said yesterday she was “still shaking” after the huge blaze.
She said: “I was asleep when a passing driver began knocking on my door and when I asked him what was happening he said ‘there’s a fire around the corner’.
“He dialled 999 from our phone, but as it was a wooden building it didn’t really stand a chance.
“That building had been there for a long time, and I’m still shaking with the shock of it.”
One fire engine from Dufftown, one from Aberlour and a water carrier from Buckie went to the scene.
In total, 14 firefighters battled to control the blaze for just over two hours.
Barrel Creations crafts malt casks aged between 30-50 years into items such as tables, wine cabinets, TV stands, planting tubs and bar chairs and stools.