A huge blaze consumed thousands of tons of timber at Wallsend-based Just Wood on May 29. But joint owner George Reynolds said that the business would not be affected.
Initial estimates of cost to the company were quoted at £200,000, but these were later dismissed by Mr Reynolds who said that despite the severity of the fire, the company could continue to trade as normal.
In fact, he said, it had done the company a favour by burning up about 3,000 tonnes of ‘rubbish’ timber.
The fire, fanned by strong winds, was attended by more than 100 firefighters and was described by them as the worst in the region this year.
The plant was set up only two years ago to recycle scrap timber into animal bedding.
It is not clear how the fire started and an investigation has been launched to establish the cause.
Mr Reynolds said a fishing festival with fireworks display was taking place on the night of the fire and he thought a stray firework could have caused the blaze.
He said: ‘We had a lot of rubbish in the middle of the yard but we’re left with all the good stuff.’ He added that the fire brigade had also ‘done a good job’ washing his yard.
It is the second time Mr Reynolds has suffered a major fire. Seven years ago a fault in electrical equipment started a blaze at his Direct Worktops business near Darlington, costing him about £21m.
