Fundraiser launched after Bo'ness sandwich shop 'ruined' by fire

A fundraising page has been set up to support a Bo’ness sandwich shop which was “ruined” by a fire.
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A blaze broke out inside Leigh’s Deli and Takeaway in the early hours of Sunday morning, destroying all of its equipment.

Devastated owner Leigh Bloomfield (22) is still trying to come to terms with the harrowing news, which broke ahead of what she expected to be the eatery’s busiest week of the year.

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The cause of the blaze is not yet known, however, firefighters have told Ms Bloomfield they believe it started within the kitchen of the South Street venue.

Leigh's Deli and Takeaway in Bo'ness was devastated by a fire thought to have started in its kitchen in the early hours of Sunday morning. Picture: Michael Gillen.Leigh's Deli and Takeaway in Bo'ness was devastated by a fire thought to have started in its kitchen in the early hours of Sunday morning. Picture: Michael Gillen.
Leigh's Deli and Takeaway in Bo'ness was devastated by a fire thought to have started in its kitchen in the early hours of Sunday morning. Picture: Michael Gillen.

A GoFundMe page created by her friend, Erin Brownlee, has already raised close to £400.

The businesswoman, who runs the deli with the help of her dad Raymond, a delivery driver and two other staff members, is hoping to temporarily set up shop in new premises next month.

She said: “The whole shop is totally ruined.

Equipment inside Leigh's Deli and Takeaway, Bo'ness was destroyed by a fire. Picture: Michael Gillen.Equipment inside Leigh's Deli and Takeaway, Bo'ness was destroyed by a fire. Picture: Michael Gillen.
Equipment inside Leigh's Deli and Takeaway, Bo'ness was destroyed by a fire. Picture: Michael Gillen.

“We’ve got insurance so they’re out assessing the place. We’re just waiting to see what they say.

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“I was phoned at 2.30am. The fire brigade said it had been burning for about three or four hours. Because we’ve got shutters, you couldn’t see in.

“There’s no equipment left – all of the fridges are ruined.

“It’ll probably take about six to eight months to reopen. We just moved in at the start of the year from the old shop over the road which my dad had for years.

“It’s been really hard because this is our busiest week coming up. I had started doing afternoon teas and had about 300 orders.

“It’s totally gutting.”

Ms Bloomfield posted a video on Facebook to show the extent of the damage which has received almost 200 well wishes from customers.

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She added: “I would just like to say a big thanks to everybody because we never expected to get such support.”

Click here to donate.

A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We were alerted at 1.39am on Sunday to reports of a fire within a commercial building in Bo’ness.

“Operations Control mobilised two appliances to the scene at South Street, where firefighters were met by a fire within the building's kitchen.

“Crews extinguished the fire and worked to make the area safe before leaving the scene. There were no casualties.”

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