Family firm issues 'heartfelt thanks' after 'devastating' fire
A FAMILY-RUN travel firm marking 100 years in business has issued its “heartfelt thanks” to emergency services, staff, customers and the community after a “devastating” fire at its premises destroyed three coaches and saw an employee taken to hospital.
Maxfield’s Executive Travel, which is celebrating its centenary year this year, went up in flames at around midday last Friday (May 29) resulting in a huge emergency response.
Three coaches were lost to the blaze, while one member of staff was hospitalised due to smoke inhalation.
South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed six fire crews attended the large-scale operationin Aughton, Rotherham which sent thick black smoke billowing into the South Yorkshire skyline.
The fire was extinguished around 1.45pm, with residents warned to keep their doors and windows closed.
In a statement posted on social media this week the firm in a statement on behalf of 'Peter, Sharon, Ben and the whole team at Maxfields': “Well, it has been quite the weekend.
“So, we knew celebrating 100 years this year would be eventful, but we didn’t think it would be quite like this.
“We had an incident occur on Friday that has been very been devastating to us as a family and our team.
“If you know Maxfields as a family or as a company, you know that we always like to look on the bright side of life.
“Whilst we did have one member of staff that unfortunately had to go to hospital due to smoke inhalation, he was discharged within hours and is very much on the road to recovery.
“We are so thankful that no one is hurt or injured and everything that has been damaged is replaceable.
“We would like to give a huge thank you to the emergency services for not only the work they did on Friday, but for the work they do 365 days a year.
“We would like to thank our neighbours for being patient and understanding, as this incident was out of our hands.
“We would also like to thank our amazing team for staying calm, remaining professional and being the best team a company could have.
“We have tried to look at this moment and deal with it in a very pragmatic way and try to not get too emotional about it all – I think as a family and as a team, we are a little bruised, but they can heal.
“What has filled our hearts, made us smile, and – if we are honest – moved some of us to tears is the outpouring of love, support and concern from our wonderful passengers, the people of Sheffield and Rotherham, local coach companies and our family and friends.
“We want to thank you all so very much for reaching out with your kind words, offers of help and wonderful stories of days out and holidays with Maxfields.
“We want to let you all know we are fully operational operating our days out, holidays, academic work and private hire jobs are going ahead as planned.
“We are here for you Monday to Friday 10am until 4pm when you are ready to book.
“So, if you want to support us, book that day out or holiday and have something to look forward to!
"Here is to the rest of 2026 and beyond! “We can’t wait to give you some wonderful days out, holidays and memories!”
Maxfield’s was established as J.A. Maxfield's and Son back in 1926 and started out taking miners to Thurcroft pit in the back of a coal lorry.
The company later started doing trips to tourist hotspots such as Bakewell and Matlock.
Private hire and school trips came next before a 1970s switch to executive travel which saw the family business grow into one that provides affordable, high quality tours and excursions across the UK.