Will Young and Tom Latchford recently moved their business to Adelaide and a freak fire has destroyed 80 per cent of their equipment

Business partners who recently moved their rising hire business to Adelaide have had disaster strike only months after arriving.

Will Young and Tom Latchford co-owners of SA Marquee, Wedding and Events at the remains of the shed where all of their equipment was stored. Picture: Brett Hartwig

A duo who moved their business “up to the big smoke” to foster its rapid growth has devastatingly seen their assets go up in smoke.

Business partners Will Young and Tom Latchford moved their rising hire business SA Marquees, Weddings & Events from Mount Gambier to Adelaide only months before disaster struck for the duo.

Will Young and Tom Latchford co-owners of SA Marquee, Wedding and Events at the remains of the shed where all of their equipment was stored. Picture: Brett Hartwig

A freak accidental fire on a cold morning on May 30 saw the business lose 80 per cent of its equipment with marquees, up to 500 chairs, electronic equipment, lights and decorations completely destroyed.

A burn-off on the property – believed to be completely extinguished days earlier – reignited as strong winds developed and surrounding pines began to burn.

The equipment was stored in sheds at Mr Latchford’s parents’ property at Yundi, near Mount Compass.

Attending CFS crews worked quickly to save the two-storey home, but not before an estimated $750,000 worth of damage was caused.

Mr Young said the news had “devastated” the duo with the gut-wrenching destruction of most of their business coming just three months after they had moved their operations as the business grew.

He said the loss of most of their assets threw their business plans out the window in a one swift blow.

A fire from a previous burn-off reignited and devastated the business at Yundi, on the Fleurieu Peninsula causing $750k damage. Picture: Brett Hartwig

The duo’s despair had quickly turned to gratitude as businesses and individuals from around South Australia quickly offered their support.

Their attention quickly turned to ensuring their clients weren’t let down with a wedding and major birthdays booked in as soon as next weekend.

“In the first six hours we had a couple of people and businesses reach out saying, hey, look we’ve got a marquee that’s not being used next couple of months, things like – just unbelievably generous,” he said.

Will Young and Tom Latchford are very thankful for the CFS’ and community support. Picture: Brett Hartwig

“One of those was actually one of the CFS volunteers as well.

“So it’s pretty amazing that they were there putting out the flames and then offered support after – that was pretty special.”

He said while it was still early days and the damage was still raw, the pair would work as hard as they could to meet their obligations and hoped to rebuild a strong business as the dust settled.

A SA Country Fire Service spokesperson confirmed the fire had started from a previous burn-off which had reignited.

“CFS responded to multiple triple-0 calls from locals and sent 35 volunteer firefighters on six trucks and two bulk water carriers,” the spokesperson said.

“The fire engulfed a large 30 metre by 10 metre shed, which stored farm machinery, including a new excavator that also stored the family business, a wedding and party hire equipment company.”