The owners of the panel shop that caught fire in Birch Avenue destroying the back part of the building and threatening the neighbouring Filthy Few Headquarters are today reflecting on their loss.

Gillian and Graham Logan have owned Colin Davis Panelbeaters in the industrial area of Judea for the last three years.

Gillian Logan watches as fire fighters battle to control the blaze at her business Colin Davis Panelbeaters in Birch Avenue.

Gillian says she is devastated by the fire and damage to the business.

'I just can't believe it happened. I am just glad no one was injured or hurt in the fire.

'That was the priority for us, making sure everyone was alright.”

The fire broke out in the spray booth at the rear of the building at about 2pm on Thursday.

Gillian was working in the office at the time when she heard someone yelling at her telling her to 'get out and call emergency services”.

'I really didn't know what was happening. I heard someone yelling to get out.

'I quickly picked up the phone and called 111 and then I saw one of our painters run out and grab a fire hose.”

In shock Gillian quickly ran out of the building and across the road where she could see thick black smoke and flames coming from the rear of the building.

'Everyone got out and we ran across the road where we could see the smoke coming out.

'There were 11 of us working in the building and everyone is okay.”

The industrial area of Judea came to a stand-still as fire fighters worked to control the blaze.

Workers from surrounding businesses gathered on the street as clouds of black smoke and flames lept from the building at about 2.15pm.

Cordons were put in place around Koromiko and Members of the neighbouring Filthy Few Motorcycle Club scrambled to get their bikes to safety.

By the time fire fighters arrived at the scene the fire had intensified burning on two levels at the rear of the building.

Tauranga senior station officer Mark Keller says the fire started in the spray booth at the rear of the building while a young painter was spraypainting a door.

'The fire started under his feet. We are yet to determine what actually caused that.

'He is using highly volatile solvent. The solvents are part of the spray, those solvents get carried away through the floor and up through the vent.

'The nature of the paint makes it particularly dangerous.”

Fire fighters put in two deliveries and set up an aerial in case the fire spread.

'There was some pretty hard work done by the first arriving crew, we were able to contain it.

'Certainly had the potential to spread.”

Fire fighters worked into the night checking for hot spots.

'We left about 6pm and the fire fighters were still there then,” says Gillian.

The couple has insurance cover for the business, but Gillian says it is going to be tough to see the damage in the light of day.

'We haven't been down to see the damage yet.

'It is going to be a messy day.”