'This will not be the last chapter for our company'

"This will not be the last chapter for Timeless Sash Windows."

Those were the defiant words of the heartbroken CEO of The family run firm in the wake of the devastating blaze that destroyed their Trim business premises on Tuesday evening.

Former Meath footballer Barry Callaghan said he and his family and 57 staff had been "overwhelmed" by the support of customers, suppliers and wellwishers from the local community.

"We're still all a bit up in the air. We've been inundated with calls of support since the fire and it definitely has made things a bit easier for us to keep going but it has been a devastating blow for the family and all our great staff. Look, the main thing is we're all in one piece and we're just so glad no one was caught up in it."

"We're still just processing everything and it'll take a few days before we make it back into circulation with a plan. We're on the lookout for a new premises and we've people coming back to us with offers which is wonderful to see."

Barry, said there was still no indication as to what caused the blaze which broke out just after 8pm on Tuesday evening at their 14,000sqft premises in the Eamon Duggan Industrial Estate on the Athboy Road.

The company had been operating at reduced capacity because of Easter Holidays and no one was on the premises when the fire broke out which Barry is extremeley gratfeul for.

Fire crews from Trim, Kells, Navan and Dunshaughlin stations across Meath as well as a specialist hydraulic platform from Kildare attended the blaze which could be seen from several miles away.

Fire personnel battled through the night to successfully contain the fire to the Callaghan family-operated business that has specialised in making and installing bespoke sash windows and doors for over 40 years.

Despite little to nothing of any stock or machinery being saved, Barry says he and his family were extremely grateful for the efforts of Meath Fire Service in tackling and containing the blaze.

The company was founded by Gerry Callaghan in 1973 - known then as Callaghan Sash Windows before son Barry took over as Managing Director.

The company rebranded in 2017 to Timeless Sash Windows and moved to the Eamon Duggan Industrial Estate premises in January 2018. The joinery business makes handcrafted sash windows and doors with operations in both Ireland and the UK. One of it's flagship projects was the restoration of 220 windows at Killeen Castle.

Messages of support came in from business neighbours Trimfold Envelopes whose premises was protected from catching fire due to the efforts of the emergency services.

"Trimfold Envelopes offers our sincere commiserations to our neighbours in Timeless Sash Windows and our thoughts are with Barry and the whole team after the devastating fire in their premises. We want to massively thank the emergency services, Gardai and Fire Services, for their bravery and swift actions which stopped the fire from spreading further, finally we join everyone here in Trim in thankfulness that no one was injured during the blaze."

In a statement Trim Men's Shed said: "Our sincere sympathies go out this morning to all the management and staff at Timeless Sash Windows, our neighbours in the Eamon Duggan Industrial Estate in Trim, following the devastating fire.

We know this must be a desperately worrying time for all of you. We cannot do much to help but we certainly would want to try to help so, if we can and you think we can, a call us."

The staff at La Belle Vie Boutique Trim said: "Our heart goes out to Timeless Sash Windows after the devastating blaze. Thinking of all the family and staff."

Souhan's of Trim said their thoughts were with the Callaghan family and employees after the devastating fire in their premises. "We thank the emergency services, Gardai and Fire Services, we join everyone here in Trim in thankfulness that no one was injured."

Cllr Tommy Reilly said he would be speaking to Trade Minister, Damien English and Meath CEO, Jackie Maguire to see what could be done to accommodate the business, so they could continue production.

They need a premises immediately so they can fulfil orders.

"There are 57 families involved here and I would urge the Department of Social Welfare to arrange a meeting with these people to see how they can access benefits as they cannot afford to be waiting week to week," he said.

Cllr Noel French said he was grateful to the fire services for securing the rest of the premises.

"It is sad to see a business destroyed but nobody was hurt, which is hugely important.

"I wish them all the best for the future and look forward to see them up and running again."