“Was this all a set up to get some insurance money?????”

“What a sad sad world! It's always someone else responsibility to do something risking injury or death to others!. What happens when everyone thinks someone else has or should of called 999? Thankfully this time no one was injured in helping to clear stock and helping out. Heads up all of you well done for YOUR brave swift actions!
Any fire crew members, lots of calls or none at all?”

“Been into shop this morning. Pleased everyone is OK, and still carrying on as best you can. You are a great bunch!”

“The main question is - will Hales be trading next week?

Most people wil think that the answer is no.

But I think otherwise:

The main shop and the sawmills in the new building should be open.

If anything was saved from the cement shed then they will probably sell that in the shop too

If anything was recovered from the Timber shed (which there should be, beings that I saw them moving it out of the way of the fire crews) then they should be able to sell that.

If the road down the side to the open area at the back is clear and if the roadside structure is declared safe then item such as sand, gravel and bricks should be on sale again pretty soon. So should propane and butane, but I couldn't see from my viewing point if the heat and fire had touched the cage cointaing them so im not sure about that.

But I don't run Hales so I don't know, it's just an educated guess!

I also have a possible idea of what caused the blaze, the company had working rayburns in the plumbing centre, so thats where I belived that the fire had started!”

“Iam Totally Shocked, i was on my way to hales at the tme of the fire, i could see the smoke from top of cinderford, never thought for one moment it would be there and that was at 4 30pm, and i was told by another person it was hales, what a shock, i feel so sorry for the people that work there, as i have always found them so friendly and helpfull,i think a local fund should be set up to help the staff for the loss of earnings in this depession, To ALL THE STAFF, my thoughts are will you all. this will be something you will never forget. dave.”

“So sorry to hear this news, but hoping that the company will soon be back on its feet and trading again. Whilst in uk we often went to Hales, purely because everyone was so helpful and knew enough about the products to offer advice.... I remember taking a crate of apple at xmas for the staff to share as they had been so helpful during fathers refurbishments...some 20 years ago now!
Good luck.”

“Glad no-one was hurt. The rain this morning has came too late! Needed that yesterday.

Anyone have any idea of the cause?

Jamie.”

“Thank God no one was injured. Having worked there i know a lot of the staff and they are a really great bunch of people. my thoughts go out all who work there and wish them all the best and a speedy recovery”

“I heard lots of sirens at about 3.45pm leaving coleford i assume they attended the fire at hales. I wouldnt care if i was told off for calling even if someone else as already done so...I could not just rely on someone else to do it..If we all did that where would we be. I passed Hales everyday on my way to school in mitcheldean and i am glad 2 hear nobody was injured and i hope that they will recover from this disaster and be back in the heart of the forest trading very soon.”

“Glad to hear that no one has been hurt. Hales is part of Folk Law in the Forest and the sooner it's back up and running, the better! I'm sure it won't be long. All the best to all involved.”