Lay brothers face more devastation two years after fire at Woolner
TWO years after one of Darwin’s largest food supply warehouses was destroyed by fire, the Lay brothers have been dealt a second blow
Northern Territory
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TWO years after one of Darwin’s largest food supply warehouses was destroyed by fire, the Lay brothers have been dealt a second blow as another of their food businesses has been severely damaged by flames.
Emergency services rushed to NT Oriental Emporium on the corner of Bagot Rd and Delatour St this morning after reports of fire were made to police at 2.45am.
Early investigations showed most of the stock and product inside had been destroyed, and the roof had collapsed.
NT Fire and Rescue Service fire investigator Tony Miles said crews were unable to enter the building until it was structurally safe.
“Most of the fire seems to be confined to the rear area of the building, so that’ll be the area that the investigation will focus on once the building is declared safe to enter,” Mr Miles said.
“We’ll be looking at all options or all possible causes at this time we haven’t ruled anything in or out.”
The beginnings
NT Oriental Emporium was first opened in 1988 under another name in Cavenagh St by Kivi Lay and his wife Vicki. Kivi at the time saw an opportunity in the market for the import and sale of Asian groceries and shop goods.
A year later the business was renamed to NT Oriental Emporium and moved to its current location at Bagot Rd, Coconut Grove.
According to the NT Oriental Emporium website, it led to the creation of the LayGroup, spearheaded by Kivi and his brothers Nelson and David, and the development of Asian United Food Service.
Devastation in 2018
In 2018 the family faced disaster as the Asian United Food Service’s warehouses on Bishop St, Woolner were gutted by fire on May 16.
Smoke alarms at the warehouse alerted NT Fire and Rescue and police at 12.20am.
It took 17 firefighters to control the blaze, with NT Fire and Rescue station officer Tony Miles saying explosions could be heard throughout the morning due to exploding cans of food and drums of oil.
Most of the warehouse was destroyed, except the cold stores that survived because of the firewalls. It kept the frozen food and meat side of the business unharmed and allowed it to remain fully operational.
Posting on Facebook, brothers Nelson and David Lay shared how devastated they were by the fire.
“The Lay family would like to express their deepest gratitude and heartfelt thanks to everyone that has offered support today,” the statement read.
“We would like to thank NT Police Fire and the Emergency Services for their efforts.
“We are very shocked and sadden by what has happened, but our spirits have been lifted by the immense support we have received.
“We are extremely humbled and no words can express how grateful we are for everyone’s kind prayers, thoughts and well wishes.”
Eateries were left scrambling to find alternative food suppliers following the disaster, as Asian United supplied most of Darwin’s restaurants, Royal Darwin Hospital and many communities.
The family however scrambled quickly to find a warehouse to rent, and began taking shipments of replacement interstate supplied. It was able to keep all 75 staff employed during this time, and the family expressed their aim to rebuild.
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Rising from the ashes
In October 2019 Nelson Lay walked through the site of the family’s new $11 million Asian United Food Service warehouse.
The new warehouse complex beside the original site had a whopping 4000 sqm under cover with a new cold store, dry storage area, loading bays and modern new upstairs offices.
The family then commissioned a second warehouse on the original site of the fire, and it is understood to almost be complete.
At the time Nelson told the NT News the family was excited for the future and to expand operations.
“We are so very happy for all the faith people showed in us and the support we got,” Nelson said.
“We live in a truly wonderful community.”
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