Waterford family issue cry for help after business destroyed in ‘devastating’ Tycor fire
Ilmar’s Garage was located at the Tycor Business Centre in Waterford city
A Waterford family are appealing for help after their business was destroyed during the recent fire at the Tycor Business Centre.
Jana Kaleja, whose husband runs Ilmar’s Garage, outlined her family’s devastation in an interview with Waterford Live.
In particular, Jana highlighted the emotional toll that the fire has had on her family.
She stated: “The premises was destroyed completely. It’s extremely devastating, not just for us but for all the businesses there.
“Usually when the businesses go down, people just see the lost money or income but they don’t see what we are going through. It’s sleepless nights.
“A week has passed already and it’s extremely difficult emotionally on families. It’s not all about finances.”
However, Jana continued by saying that the fire has come at a huge material cost to the business.
“Everything [has been damaged]. All his equipment, tools, workshop in general, customer cars, his own cars, even the recovery car.
“Everything was there and everything is just destroyed. We saw the wreckage of everything just from the pictures of the drone.
“That’s all that we can see because we have no access to the building even now which is actually devastating because we cannot even get insurance to get that sorted. It’s very frustrating at this time.”
She went on to outline the importance of her husband’s business to the local community.
“My husband has been there for five years. He helped a lot of people. It’s very important to have your car secure and sorted and be safe to drive on the road.
“I’m sure not only us but everyone finds this situation very difficult, even a week after, we’re still nowhere.
“I know the Government helped us, yes. We got the scheme and we are going to get some finances out of that but I want to remind everyone that it’s not going to cover everything.”
Jana has set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for the business, which she said has been an “extremely big support”.
She concluded by saying that the biggest challenge for the business is finding a new premises.
“We were able to start looking for a premises which is a big issue as well in the present times because the prices as well they are extremely, extremely high.
“I don’t know if we’re going to be able to afford now to continue my husband’s business.
“It’s so tough because there is so very little choice and it’s so expensive like I mentioned.”
The fire, which broke out in the Tycor area on May 9, caused extensive damage to the roof and inside of the building.
Whilst no one was injured, the fire has come as a big blow to a number of local businesses whose premises are located in the building.
You can find a link to Jana’s GoFundMe page here.