By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
A DEVASTATING fire on Boolarra Avenue, Newborough last Thursday (May 28) was found to have been caused by an electrical fault.
Three businesses and a residence were affected.
Hard Luck Tattoo Co. and Maddy’s Takeaway suffered significant damage and face an uncertain future.
Chris Atwater of Hellbent Barber, located at the end of the building, was serving his last client for the day at around 7.30pm when staff from Maddy’s Takeaway rushed over saying that smoke was coming from the tattoo parlour.
“We both smelt something like burnt plastic, only to discover that next door at Hard Luck tattoo shop was completely full of flames, with flames licking our main wall,” Maddy’s Takeaway manager, Jayde Caddy Atkin penned online.
“With no time to lose, we both got what we could and got out before the roof came in.
“We were very shaken up and traumatised, to say the least, but most of all, we are thankful to be alive and with only minor injuries.”
Mr Atwater went to the back entrance of the tattoo parlour, which was closed, finding that the glass on the door was white hot.
Hard Luck Tattoo Co. owner Shane Keane then arrived, and in opening the door, both were hit with a wave of flames that released outward from the back kitchen room.
Emergency services soon arrived as the fire and smoke escalated further.
Multiple fire trucks and police were at the scene, while a swarm of bystanders also gathered.
Fire Rescue Victoria and local CFA crews donned breathing apparatus and attacked the fire to prevent further spread.
The fire was ultimately deemed under control at 8.16pm.
Ambulance Victoria was also on the scene to care for two people dealing with minor smoke inhalation.
A health inspector and the power and gas companies were requested to attend.
The fire was not deemed to be suspicious at any point during the investigation.
Mr Keane took to Facebook the following day to share the unfortunate news about Hard Luck Tattoo Co.
“I lost my shop and everything in it to a fire last night,” he said.
“I’m not really sure what to say or do at this point, but I’d just like to thank everyone who came to me or called and offered assistance, and the first responders for their efforts and keeping everyone safe.”
Mr Keane revealed that the investigation determined that a fault connected to a power board at one of his work stations was to blame.
Despite losing everything within his business, including personal items, he declared he’ll return in some capacity.
The three businesses are connected via the same building, which saw the fire and smoke travel through the roof, causing extensive damage to Maddy’s Takeaway and significant smoke damage to Hellbent Barber.
Maddy’s Takeaway only recently reopened under new management.
“(It’s) absolutely heart-breaking to have put all of my hard work, blood, sweat, tears, and even my broken bones into this shop, and all for nothing now,” Ms Caddy Atkin wrote.
“All of my things in there are ruined, I didn’t have much, but what I had was all I had.
“It was my life in that shop, I brought all my personal things to make the shop both welcoming and functional.
“Being just the manager, I don’t have insurance or anything, so I have lost absolutely all I had.”
A timeline for a return for the takeaway shop is unclear, while the barbers are expected to be closed for at least a month as the owners clear it out, wipe all of the black ash away and wait for its electricity to be restored.
Mr Atwater said that he’s already been approached to use a chair at another local barber for the time being, while his strong clientele has offered to help with the clean-up.
The significance of damage to the residential, located on the other side of the tattoo parlour, is not known, but it was unoccupied at the time of the fire.
