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Sony Warehouse Destroyed in London Riots

Building housed inventory for several independent labels

August 9, 2011 10:00 AM ET
Firefighters battle a massive blaze at the Sony distribution centre in Waltham Abbey, north of London.
Firefighters battle a massive blaze at the Sony distribution centre in Waltham Abbey, north of London.
LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images

A Sony distribution warehouse in North London was destroyed in a fire early this morning following the third straight night of riots in the United Kingdom. According to a representative of Sony, the blaze will have a direct impact on deliveries of CDs and DVDs throughout the region, as this was the only facility storing their products in the country.

The fire will have a major impact on independent labels in particular as the warehouse stored the entire inventory of PIAS UK, the primary distribution hub for over 150 labels including Beggars Group, Sub Pop, Rough Trade, Domino, 4AD, the Secretly Canadian group, Mute, Ninja Tune, Soul Jazz, Kompakt, Thrill Jockey and Drag City. According to early reports, all of the inventory in the building is assumed to be lost.

Photos: Random Notes
In a statement, Sony spokesperson Yoko Yasukochi said that a cause for the fire and the full extent of the damage has not been determined because it has not been possible to enter the remains of the building.

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