WONDER WASH Laundry Net owner Joe Scholl has expressed utter devastation after a fire tore through his local business overnight (Friday, May 12) and has left his family and employees shattered.
Murwillumbah Firefighters responded to reports of a building fire at the business located at 58 Wollumbin Street at around 6am this morning.
Upon their arrival, firefighters found smoke billowing from the laundromat and acted quickly to save neighbouring businesses.
“Firefighters gained entry and while wearing breathing apparatus were able to extinguish the fire and successfully stopped the fire spreading to five other businesses in the same building,” the firefighers said.
Murwillumbah Firefighters were supported by Tweed Heads Firefighters who assisted with ventilating the business.
“The adjoining businesses were also smoke affected,” the crews said on social media.
Speaking with The Weekly, Mr Scholl said the impact to the business would be felt by local residents and other businesses, who use the full-service laundromat on a daily basis.
“We’re one of the only Murwillumbah laundry operators that provide a full service to the community,” he said.
“This is not only affected me and my three employees, it will impact locals and businesses in the area and the nearest one is in Tweed Heads.”
Mr Scholl said he has already had an insurance assessment team visit the business and he’s in the process of making a claim.
The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.
Meanwhile, messages of support are flowing in for Mr Scholl and his family from longtime residents.
“My sincere thoughts for Wonderwash and Joe Scholl and his family as a fire has destroyed the BEST laundry around. The community is there to support you for that rebuild,” Murwillumbah resident Jill Ray-Black said on social media.
Mr Scholl said he had every intention to bounce back from the fire and hopes to re-open as soon as possible.
“The moment we can get the new machines back in and running, we will re-open,” he said.
