Monday's Internet Edition, October 06, 2008.
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| A COPPERAS COVE firefighter stands in front of a smoldering garage damaged by fire early Tuesday morning. Officials have estimated damage at $57,000, which includes several automotive engines being stored in the garage. – Photo by LARRY HAUK |
News editor -
A structure fire had two firefighters needing treatment for heat exhaustion Tuesday morning.
The fire was called in around 5:15 a.m. regarding a garage fire on Allen Street.
Two firetrucks, three ambulances, two staff vehicles and a rescue truck were used for the call. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the garage, which was a split-level storage shed, protecting it from surrounding buildings.
“The family was not displaced because we were able to keep the damage to just that one structure,” Fire Inspector Robert Martin said.
In the building were automobile engines as well as different auto parts. There were also containers holding gas, propane and diesel fuel.
The fire department estimated the loss to be at $57,000. An estimate is made after an inventory of what was thought to be in the building, and how much damage was done during the fire.
It was Shift Commander William “Skip” Rippy who helped investigate the fire after it was out.
“The fire is still under investigation, however based on the type of damage, we feel that the fire was accidental and probably caused by an electric malfunction,” Martin said. “Right now we are just determining what type of electrical malfunction caused the fire.”
After firefighters responded to the fire, it took about an hour to get the blaze under control. It wasn’t until 8:30 a.m. when most of the staff left the scene. At least one firetruck remained on scene until 1:45 p.m. putting out different hot spots.
“We were there pretty much all morning,” Martin said. “The reason it took so long to get it under control was because of the massive amount of improper storage with the engine blocks and automotive equipment.”
Damage to the structure included a roof and ceiling collapse as well as heat and smoke damage.
“Rippey talked with the owner to get a rough idea of what was in the garage,” Martin said. “He got a rough estimate on what everything was worth, including the building, and from there he put together his estimate.”
Martin said that despite what the fire department issues as the amount of damaged, insurance companies can still deem it a total loss.
The total amount of the building and its contents are estimated to be worth $150,000.
“You just don’t know with insurance companies,” Martin said. “They may say $150,000 or even $30,000.”
“Once we get the rough estimate out, its out of our hands.”