Print rallies behind Big Image after Boxing Day fire

Local businesses and the print community are rallying behind Adelaide-based large format print outfit Big Image following a Boxing Day fire destroying its premises, along with around $2 million of stock and machinery.

The Metropolitan Fire Service described the fire as “large” and said it took 38 firefighters several hours to get the blaze under control.

Carlo Capogreco, owner and managing director at the digital wide format printing business for the sign and display sectors, told Print21 that it had “basically lost everything”.

He said, “We got a call about 10pm from the police advising us that our business was on fire, and once we arrived on the scene, we were unable to get anywhere near the facility as it was blocked off due to everything that was happening.

“The whole place was basically razed to the ground – the walls were only just barely standing, there were massive holes in the walls, the roof had partially collapsed, and everything got burnt to cinders.”

According to Capogreco, what has happened since the accident has been “quite humbling and something of an unexpected, yet pleasant surprise”.

“It’s been an amazing story of goodwill from so many people – firstly, a gentleman by the name of Tony Siciliano, who is the director of local building company Constructwell, has reached out to offer a small portion of his workshop for us to continue working on until we re-establish ourselves,” Capogreco said.

“Quadient has loaned us a 1,600mm wide printer, latex printer and a laminator for us to continue our work. We are also organising our jobs using the services of three different companies, and have even been in contact with Adelaide Expo Hire, who we will be working with in the near future.

“Customers have also been fantastic and supportive in all of this, and they have continued to send all of their work through.”

And the support from industry doesn’t just stop there, Australian Sign & Graphics Association (ASGA), has also reached out to give a hand in whatever way they can.

“We have contacted Carlo and are happy to report that he has been overwhelmed by the support from people in the industry willing to help them,” ASGA said.

“It is already operating from a small premises 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.

“It is also in discussions with interstate suppliers of large format prints willing to help them out.”

Police and fire investigators are currently still investigating the case, although no questions have been raised regarding foul play. Instead, it is expected that it will officially be tied to an electrical fault of some form.

“Forensics are still looking into it and the building is currently still not safe to enter, but once it is made safer, they will go back in and have a closer look to see what they can find out,” said Capogreco.

“The detective I spoke to said the fire started somewhere in the middle of the warehouse, so that seems to be the hot spot.”

Big Image had only moved into the premises in Hindmarsh 18 months ago.