Three teenagers arrested over Sony warehouse fire
According to London 24, three teenagers have been arrested regarding the fire at the Sony
According to London 24, three teenagers have been arrested regarding the fire at the Sony warehouse on Monday (August 8) in Enfield, North London. Two 17-year-olds and an 18-year-old have been held over violent disorder and arson. The youngest suspect has been bailed, while the others are still in custody.
As BBC points out, Sony states that 1.5 million CDs were destroyed in the fire. That stock is currently being replenished elsewhere in the UK, as well as Austria. PIAS has issued a statement announcing the establishment of a fund to aid the stricken labels, in conjunction with the UK’s Association of Independent Music. Read an excerpt below.
[PIAS] have been overwhelmed by the response and incredible support offered to both ourselves and the labels that we represent here in the UK.
Labels and artists affected by the destruction of the Sony DADC warehouse are faced with incredible pressures on their businesses in respect to the re-manufacture, re-supply and marketing required as a result of the fire. Whilst it is expected that insurance will cover the lost stock, the reality for many labels is that they will not be compensated or insured for an interruption of trade or the additional capital to reproduce the stock that they have lost and the promotion in which they have invested.
In addition to the efforts to reduce actual costs through negotiation, and in response to the numerous offers of support, benefits, fundraising initiatives etc, [PIAS] have worked in conjunction with AIM to create a fund that companies and organisers of initiatives can contribute to. In this way, we have created a vehicle for enabling those involved to do so safe in the knowledge that such monies will be distributed fairly amongst the most needy labels with the sanction of both [PIAS] and AIM.
Kenny Gates, Co-Founder and CEO, [PIAS] “The fund that is being put together in a matter of hours by [PIAS] and AIM demonstrates once again the strength and solidarity in the independent music community. [PIAS] will carry on engaging, helping and supporting its labels and artists in every way possible. I am very confident that our combined efforts will result in the smallest interruption to our collective business. Again the compassion of our recording artists, our labels and the industry wide support is amazing.”
Details regarding how to contribute and who to contact:
Anyone wishing to contact [PIAS] and AIM in respect to this fund should email
labelsupportfund@musicindie.com
