The High Street branch of one of Wickford's oldest family businesses was wrecked by fire on Saturday afternoon, but escaped further damage after the blaze burst a water pipe.

According to Lee Baxter, managing director of Moore's Shoe Repairers, the premises could have been burnt to the ground.

Miraculously, however, the fire, which is thought to have started in machinery, burst the casing of a water pipe in the flooring above creating an emergency 'sprinkler' which dampened the flames.

Moore's is now facing a £30,000 bill and a month of repairs, but staff are determined to keep the business running as normally as possible at the other store in the town's Broadway.

Lee Baxter, 50, of Louvain Avenue, broke off a holiday in Norfolk after hearing of the fire.

He said: "The shop is completely gutted, but we have another shop in the Broadway so we have transferred all our business there.

"The heat from the flames melted the seal of the water pipe feeding the flat above the shop.

"That meant the pipe provided a kind of sprinkler system which largely extinguished the fire."

The fire is thought to have started in a shoe repair machine at about 2pm. Members of staff, Sean Horton, 19, and Cheryl Johnston, 30, were forced to flee the shop with stock in hand.

Fire crews from Wickford and Basildon attended.

Mr Baxter said: "If it hadn't been for the water pipe the whole place could have gone up and the building could have been burnt to the ground."

The business was established in 1924 by disabled war veteran Walter Moore, trained in cobbling as part of a government rehabilitation scheme.

The business is now run by Mr Baxter whose wife Christine is Mr Moore's grand-daughter.

Mr Baxter said: "We have survived in Wickford for more than 70 years and with the support of residents we will continue to survive."

Shope fire: Moore's Shoe Repairs was the scene of a blaze at the weekend.

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