Lincoln butchers will keep trading after devastating fire

A 130 year old family business in Lincoln said it will continue trading after it suffered a devastating fire this weekend due to an electrical fault.

Emergency services were called to the fire at Foster & Son on Monks Road just before 9pm on Saturday, August 8. Three fire engines attended the scene and the blaze was confirmed out by 9.40pm with no casualties.

Investigations carried out by Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue believe that the cause of the fire was an electrical fault. The building has suffered from heavy smoke damage.

Brothers Mark and Paul Foster are the sixth generation of the Fosters family to run the independent business over the last 130 years.

They have confirmed that although the butchers shop will remain closed for the time being, the catering and bakery side of the business will continue. They expect to be able to continue the cooked meat orders from Tuesday, August 11.

Fire Crews have extinguished the fire and the Foster brothers check how bad the damage is.

Mark and Paul Foster said: “We’re absolutely gutted. We have worked hard all our life to build the business with the help of our staff.

“I got notified by the alarm and one of my neighbours and I felt like it was a dream, like it wasn’t happening to me. I just felt numb.

“We are trying very hard to carry on. We are trying to give our catering customers the best we can.

“There was a lot smoke damage rather than fire damage. It will be a big job and we have lost absolutely everything including knifes and fridges. We are working closely with the insurance people at the moment.

“We want to say thank you to everyone who has offered their help and support, from our friends, colleagues and everyone who have given 100%.

“We would like to ask our customers to bare with us and, although they may need to use somewhere else in the meantime, we look forward to seeing them again when we reopen.

“The good wishes that we have had from everyone has been amazing. They want to stay with us and help in any way that they can. They give us the strength to carry on.”

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