Rare Reprographics is up and running for business after a fire on Boxing Day that devastated its Hailsham premises, causing 200,000 worth of damage.


Eight fire engines and one aerial ladder platform were used to put out the fire.


East Sussex fire brigade said the blaze was started deliberately when someone set fire to a van adjacent to the building.


The fire damaged a Fuji B1 Sumo imagesetter and a Celsis 6250 scanner. Rare Repro also has a Pictro Proof digital proofer, ordered before the fire.


Fortunately for the firm, all data was backed up on DAT in a cabinet that offered it protection. But for the back-up, "we would have been out of it," said joint director Kevin Brown.


The firm was out of action for one and a half weeks. It has retained all 11 staff and moved to temporary premises in Hailsham, with a six-month licence. It is looking for more suitable permanent premises.


Rare carries out work for car magazines such as Street Machines and some top-shelf titles. During the fire, the roof came off and "there was porn flying all over Hailsham," said Brown.


Story by Jeremy Allen