Independent music and film companies hit by Enfield warehouse fire

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Record labels and film distributors have suffered huge stock losses after a fire at a Sony/PIAS warehouse

Sony/Pias Group warehouse in Enfield

Independent record labels and film distributors are among those counting the cost of a fire that engulfed a distribution centre in Enfield last night.

The warehouse, owned by Sony DADC and holding stock to be distributed by the Pias Group, was set alight during last night's riots in London.

The British Film Institute (BFI), which has a retail arm selling classic films on DVD, says it has lost all stock held at the warehouse, a figure in excess of 120,000 units.

A statement from Yoko Yasukochi at Sony said: "There have been no injuries to employees. The fire is under control but... at this time we are unable to confirm the extent of the damage."

Music labels such as Azuli, Domino, Kompakt, Rough Trade and Wall Of Sound are just some of those that held stock, now feared destroyed, at the warehouse.

A statement on the Pias Group website announced: "There was a fire last night at the SonyDADC warehouse which services the physical distribution for Pias in the UK and Ireland."

"Pias is working closely with SonyDADC who are implementing their emergency plans. Pias's UK offices in London and all other areas of our business are unaffected. More information will be communicated shortly to all our labels and partners."

Steve Lewis, Home entertainment manager at Artificial Eye, told the Guardian he was however optimistic: "We've been impressed by the speed at which Sony have put their contingency plans into action. Disruption should be kept to a minimum. Our stock is insured."

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Joe Cox
Joe Cox
Content Director

Joe is the Content Director for What Hi-Fi? and Future’s Product Testing, having previously been the Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi?. He has worked on What Hi-Fi? across the print magazine and website for almost 20 years, writing news, reviews and features on everything from turntables to TVs, headphones to hi-fi separates. He has covered product launch events across the world, from Apple to Technics, Sony and Samsung; reported from CES, the Bristol Show, and Munich High End for many years; and written for sites such as the BBC, Stuff, and the Guardian. In his spare time, he enjoys expanding his vinyl collection and cycling (not at the same time).