Taylor's Transport Cumbria back on the road after Distington yard fire

Two HGVs belonging to Taylor’s Transport Cumbria were among the vehicles to go up in flames at the Tyson Burridge industrial yard blaze in Distington last month.

Warren Taylor, 32, has now secured two new wagons for the business and he and his brother, Douglas are back to doing what they do best.

Taylor's Transport Cumbria now has two new wagons following a 'catastrophic' fire at an industrial yard in Distington (Image: Warren Taylor)

Warren, who lives in Whitehaven with his wife, Sophie and their young sons, Freddie and George, said: “It feels great to be back on the road.

“We finally got hold of some replacement wagons to get us going again thanks to a dealer down in Preston and also another Cumbrian firm who is retiring and selling his trucks. One was available that suited us so it was a no-brainer to make a deal with him.”

Speaking about the devastating fire on September 15, Warren said: “It was around half 11 at night. We were in bed asleep and as soon as we heard, I jumped out of bed, got changed and went straight down there.

HGVs belonging to Taylor's Transport Cumbria were among the vehicles to be destroyed in the blaze (Image: Submitted)

“At that point the fire service and police had the roads and the yard closed so there was nothing we could do except wait for the smoke to clear then we were allowed in.

“We saw the damage and it was catastrophic. There were other hauliers affected by the fire. They lost vehicles in the blaze as well so we all ended up in the same boat.”

Cumbria Fire and Rescue say a preliminary fire investigation has discounted any suspicious circumstances regarding the cause of the fire. It is believed to have been accidental.

Warren has thanked the haulage community and his family and friends for their support in the aftermath of the blaze.

He said: “When news spread of the incident hauliers from all round the county started phoning and sending messages, asking if they could help out in any way, and our friends and family.

One of the wagons owned by Taylor's Transport which was caught up in the fire (Image: Submitted)

“We would like to say a massive thank you to all our friends who had a whip round on our behalf to help us with our bills and shopping as we were literally out of business.

“It really meant a lot to us that people can still be kind and helpful especially in these trying times for everyone with the rising cost of living.”

Taylor’s Transport Cumbria was set up in 2015 when Warren and Douglas decided to have a go at it themselves after many years of driving for other Cumbrian hauliers.

Warren said: “I suppose it all stemmed from our dad driving wagons for Marchon when it was on the go, watching the trucks go past the house and getting picked up on a Friday to go and wash the trucks.

“Me and my two brothers, Matthew and Douglas were all brought up round the wagons so it was inevitable we were going to drive them when we were older. From there we grew a passion for the haulage industry.

Warren's sons, Freddie and George Taylor, with the new wagons (Image: Submitted)

“Our boys love the trucks. They like coming down to the yard along with their cousin Ralph Taylor at the weekend and help giving them a wash when we return from a hard week’s work, doing exactly what we did years ago with our dad Johnnie.”

The company delivers all types of products around the UK and Ireland and even as far as France, Holland and Belgium.

Warren said: “It’s just a way of life because we love what we do. It doesn’t seem like a job at times.”