A devastating fire has left a young cafe owner, Zac Bull, with nothing but ashes, after his caravan and all his possessions were destroyed in a freak blaze in Pembrokeshire on January 27. The 25-year-old, who owns the Kraken Cafe in Saundersfoot, had left his caravan to go for a walk, only to return around two and a half hours later to find it engulfed in flames. The Mid and West Wales fire service responded to the fire on Narberth Road and worked for almost two hours to secure the area. The estimated loss is around £10,000 worth of property, including all his clothes, a TV, iPad, business computer, paperwork, and approximately £2,000 in cash savings.
Zac’s caravan, which he had purchased only eight months prior, was a significant loss for him, as it was his home where he had been living to save money to invest in his cafe business. The fire not only destroyed the caravan but also his parents’ shed which stored approximately £900 worth of catering equipment. His girlfriend and cafe co-owner, Megan Richards, shared that this incident was a nightmare for Zac, especially since he had been working hard to establish his cafe, which had opened just a few months before the fire. The loss of sentimental items, such as gifts from Christmas and his birthday, added to the devastation.
The cause of the fire is still unknown, though faulty wires are suspected. Despite having a safety check on the caravan just a few months prior, the fire had already engulfed the property by the time Zac and Megan returned from their walk. The unfortunate incident has not only set back the reopening of the cafe, which had been planned for mid-February, but has also added financial stress as they now have to replace essential items that were lost in the fire.
With no insurance to cover the losses, Zac’s sister, Ella Bull, set up a Gofundme page to support him in rebuilding his life and business. The community has rallied behind Zac, offering donations and sharing the fundraising page to help him get back on his feet. The fire department responded promptly to the incident, using multiple resources to extinguish the fire and secure the area. Zac is currently staying with Megan’s family as he plans his next steps and works towards reopening his cafe.
The devastating impact of the fire on Zac, both personally and professionally, highlights the resilience and determination required to overcome such unexpected challenges. The support and solidarity from the community in response to the Gofundme campaign demonstrate the power of coming together in times of crisis. As Zac rebuilds his life from the ashes, the hope and generosity of others provide a glimmer of light in the midst of darkness. The road to recovery may be long, but with the outpouring of support, Zac can look towards a brighter future as he works towards reopening his beloved cafe.