Business that supplied King 'destroyed' by fire

The owners of an interior furniture business that supplied items to King Charles III and TV chef James Martin says 30 years of building up the firm have been lost in a fire.

The blaze broke out at Quirky Interiors - a family-run company based in a converted agricultural unit at Beech Farm, St Albans, on Tuesday.

The company shared the news on social media and said "30 years of antiques, tools, and new machines have been destroyed" and owner James Petrie had burn injuries from trying to put it out.

Hertfordshire Fire Service were called out and said a full investigation would begin in the coming days.

The fire, which started just after 18:00 BST, caused severe damage to the unit. The owner suspects the cause was "likely an electrical fault".

Quirky Interiors has gained recognition for its bespoke designs, with its furniture featured in high-profile locations such as the cottage kitchens at King Charles's 16th Century house in Cornwall and chef James Martin's outdoor kitchen, and they have featured on various TV shows.

Mr Petre's wife, Catherine Petre, explained the unit was about to be transformed into a creative space for workshops and new projects before the fire struck.

"The plan was to open up a workshop for visitors of all ages to come and engage with woodworking," she said.

Tools and materials she needed for workshops in schools had been stored in the unit and were also "destroyed".

Mrs Petre, who witnessed the smoke from their home in Marshalswick, rushed to the scene but feared the worst for her husband.

"I was terrified - thank God I found him, but I thought he had gone too," she wrote on social media.

Mr Petre had burns to his hands and arms as well as minor injuries from falling over attempting to put the fire out himself before crews arrived.

Hertfordshire Fire Service sent 10 engines, as well as specialist units.

The fire was contained within the building on Coopers Green Lane with "no persons involved", the service said.

Andy Hall, assistant chief fire officer, said local businesses would be offered safety advice visits in the coming days, which would focus on prevention and response strategies.

The Petries have vowed to rebuild the business, although they said they faced uncertainty due to "complex legal issues with the insurance".

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