A BLAZE which ripped through one of Barry’s most popular chip shops has left its devastated owners facing a £20,000 repair bill.

Firefighters were called to the blaze which engulfed the ground floor of The Friar Tuck, in Richards Street, around 1.46am on Tuesday, May 16.

Firefighters believe flames took hold when the washer-drier, on the premises, overheated.

Shop owner, Dave Farnham, 31, was on a training course in Peterborough when his wife Lauren, 34, alerted him to the incident.

Brother-in-law Kyle Gee, 31, was asleep in the flat above at the time the fire broke out, but escaped unhurt.

Mr Farnham, who also owns The Master Fryer, in Skomer Road, Barry, said: “My wife called me just before 2am. I drove back through the night. It was like a bad dream. On the way down I didn’t think it was going to be that bad, but it was bad.

“They just think it was the washing machine. The staff had turned it off, but unknown to them it was still hot.

“I had only just refurbished the shop. We are waiting on the insurance. Hopefully the insurance will pay up or I don’t know what I’m going to do. There’s £20,000 worth of damage.”

Mr Farnham said he was concerned he may lose his eight staff as he could only allocate them limited hours at his already-staffed second shop. He feared they would be forced to seek alternative employment and not be in a position to return.

He added: “I am concerned about my staff. My assistant manager Karys Hawkins has set up a crowdfunding site. I don’t want to lose my staff. We are a team.

“I’d like to thank the fire service and the general public, family and friends who have been absolutely amazing. We hope to get it up and running as soon as possible.”

A total of £275, with a £1000 target, has so far been raised to supporting the family.

The Master Fryer, Skomer Road, is open from Monday to Saturday 11.30am to 2pm and 4pm to 9pm.

justgiving.com/crowdfunding/FryerTuck