FESCO back in business after deadly fire

The FESCO Gas Station in Mandeville, Manchester, that was partially destroyed by fire on February 21 reopened for business last Sunday.

Owner Trevor Heaven admits it could not have been achieved without the full force of the parent company behind his team, ensuring that everything, including new pumps, were in place.

"Most of the orders for things like pumps and dispensers are stock items at FESCO, so there was no issue getting them. Some parts arrived within a week of ordering, so we were able to move with dispatch and the company threw its resources behind us," he said.

Heaven said that his staff is in good shape following the fire, which claimed the life of his Daniel Farquharson, who Heaven described as a dear friend.

"He was the man, the go-to person. If I had a problem at night and called him, he would respond. You cannot replace someone like that, and to know that Danny went in that fashion burns and hurts my heart," Heaven said. Farquharson repaired all the vehicles, machines, compressors and generators.

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Three more persons are still not yet fully recovered but he maintains regular contact with them. Heaven noted that the staff also received counselling.

"What happened was not mischief; no one did it deliberately ... it was just an unfortunate situation, and we give thanks that more lives were not lost and more persons were not hurt," Heaven said.

Heaven assured that additional security measures have been put in to ensure that the 'one way in' and 'one way out' rules are adhered to.

Drivers must now stop at a pump to get petrol on the same side with their gas tank, so there is no stretching of the hoses. So far they have been complying.

"I don't think we would have been able to execute this had it not been for the tragedy. Motorists now realise that there is safety in orderly behaviour; even the most rebellious ones over the years now respond very easily to the new rules," Heaven said.

Staff must now leave their cell phones with a supervisor inside the mini mart. If there is an emergency, the owner is called inside to answer it.

Heaven said that pump attendants now also insist that all customers must turn off their engines before receiving service, and failure to comply means they will not be served.