ABC charity shop makes reopening top priority after fire

ABC Children’s Aid is prioritising the swift reopening of its badly damaged charity shop in Kópavogur after a fire broke out overnight, mbl.is reports.

Hrönn Svansdóttir, the organisation’s managing director, said the fire likely started in the goods receiving area, where various items were stored. Police are investigating the cause.

Smoke and soot spread throughout the shop, which was full of donated goods intended for sale. Hrönn said most items would probably have to be replaced, though some furnishings might have survived. She described the goods as being worth a considerable amount.

“Our priority is to reopen as soon as possible in the same place,” Hrönn said. The organisation expects to know more about its plans over the weekend. She said ABC had received strong support from the community and believed the shop could be restocked once it was able to reopen.

“This is our lifeline, our main source of funding apart from direct financial support from parents for children, so we are keen to reopen as soon as possible,” she said.

The shop moved to Smiðjuvegur around the turn of the year, having previously been on Nýbýlavegur. ABC also runs a smaller shop near Hlemmur.