The fire destroyed her place of sanctuary and livelihood - only the chimney is left
12:37, 09 May 2023Updated 15:22, 09 May 2023
A Bristol blacksmith has been left in a state of complete devastation after the Underfall Yard fire, which ripped through buildings and businesses in Bristol’s harbourside on Friday night. Her livelihood was completely destroyed as the fire raged into the early hours of Saturday morning, while a huge crew of firefighters worked to bring it under control.
Joanna Williams, who has been a blacksmith for over a decade, was one of numerous business owners who saw their life’s work go up in flames. She was away at the time, exhibiting her work, and only found out through an early-morning phone call.
She said today (Tuesday 9 May) that she felt “absolutely devastated” when receiving the news about the fire, but was very thankful no-one had been hurt in the blaze. She said: “I had been doing the North Somerset Art Week and the last day was on Friday.
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“I had packed up the show, so some of my pieces were still in the back of my car. About 1.30am I got a phone call and told the yard was on fire.
“I got down there about 3am and just had to watch it burn.” She thanked all the firefighters and police who had fought the blaze for several hours as it tore through several workshops and engineering units, as well as sinking boats.
Joanna added that she had not yet returned as the building was too unsafe, but was hoping to be able to go there later today (Tuesday). She said: “As it is too unsafe to go near, it hasn’t really sunk in yet. Everyone is telling me it’s gone but until it’s up close and personal…I’ll probably try and go down there later today."
She said that many of the photos of the fire which were being shared were of the building where her workshop was situated and that she had not recognised it as her business at first. She said: “Only my chimney is still standing, it’s sticking out of the roof”.
Friends have set up a crowdfunding JustGiving page for the Bristol blacksmith and artist, who should be celebrating 10 years at Underfall Yard later this year. Joanna was not covered by insurance and the funds raised will help to replace some of her machinery, tools and equipment which she has acquired over many years as a blacksmith.
On the fundraising page, she described her forge as not just a workshop, saying: “It was my artist studio, my home from home, my sanctuary, it was full, it was everything, my entire career as a blacksmith and an artist is all gone. It’s too unimaginable to comprehend and I remain in disbelief at the fact I have lost everything in one night.”
Fire rips through Bristol harbour boatyard - in picturesThe Underfall Yard Trust, which is a charity set up over 25 years ago to transform the area on Bristol’s Harbourside, has confirmed they will be supporting tenants who have lost everything in the fire. A JustGiving page was also set up by the charity following the fire which has seen a flood of donations during the Bank Holiday weekend.
Around 20 people were evacuated from nearby homes as firefighters tackled the blaze. Yesterday (Monday, May 8), Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that a man has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered, in relation to the fire.
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