ASGA and industry rally support to Big Image after devastating Boxing Day fire

ASGA and the industry has rallied around Big Image, following the devastating Boxing Day fire that destroyed its premises (and around $2 million of stock and machinery) at Hindmarsh, South Australia, assisting MD Carlo Capogreco and his team to continue operating from a temporary location.

“We have contacted Carlo Capogreco regarding the devastating Boxing Day fire that destroyed Big Image’s premises and are happy to report that Carlo has been overwhelmed by support from people in the industry willing to help them. They are already operating from a small premise that has been loaned to them whilst they look for a new location and are already supplying prints and graphics using machinery that has been loaned to them. They are also in discussions with interstate suppliers of large format prints willing to help them out. Carlo said the support has been amazing and has plans to rebuild and is determined to be bigger and better than before,” said the ASGA in a statement.

According to a report by ABC news on 27 December 2020:

The MFS described the fire as "large" and said it took 38 firefighters and several hours to bring the blaze under control.

Significant structural damage was caused to the building, along with adjoining properties — although MFS crews were able to save neighbouring businesses from being completely destroyed.

"Fire's contained but has severely damaged the business and continues to burn," the MFS tweeted on Saturday night.

"MFS crews aren't able to enter the burning premises, instead battling defensively from outside."

Firefighters are today monitoring the site for hotspots and to keep watch over the unstable structure.

The owner of the printing business, Deon Capogreco, said there was $2 million of stock and machinery on the premises.

"It's completely devastating obviously … it's hard to put into words," Mr Capogreco said.

"At the moment, all I can think about is our employees.

"We were looking to hire new people next year as well, we were looking to expand — this has just flatlined everything.

"I don't know where to begin from here, from scratch. Which is what we're going to do."

Mr Capogreco said the business has twelve employees, including himself, and that they had only moved into the building at Hindmarsh 18 months ago.

"We've built a really good business here … we've made really good friends in the industry that we work in, and I know that they will support us," he said.

"We started as a two-person operation not that long ago, and it had grown rapidly, with a lot of hard work.

"Seeing it like that is difficult."

Image Magazines sends well wishes to Carlo, Deon and all the staff at Big Image and is heartened that the ASGA and industry continue to support the company as they rise from the ashes.

Note: Image copyright ABC news.