'Heartbreaking' fire at 100-year-old Rotherham travel firm as company issues update

A long-standing Rotherham travel firm has issued a defiant statement after losing three coaches in a large fire which saw a huge emergency response.

Family firm Maxfield’s Executive Travel, which is celebrating its centenary year this year, went up in flames at around midday on Friday, May 29.

Three coaches have been lost to the blaze, while one member of staff is thought to have been hospitalised due to smoke inhalation.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed six fire crews attended the large-scale operation which sent thick black smoke billowing into the South Yorkshire skyline.

The fire was extinguished around 1.45pm. Resident were warned to keep their doors and windows closed and pictures and videos from the scene in Aughton, Rotherham at the time showed the scale of the blaze.

Now, Maxfield’s, who started out as a transportation service for miners int he area in 1926, have issued an emotional statement.

Speaking to the BBC, they said: “We lost three of our nicest coaches today, which for a family business celebrating 100 years this year is heartbreaking.

"With the help of our wonderful staff and supportive clients we will recover and safe to say, all our trips are running as normal."

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.