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Fire in shop.
By Jerry, Section Diaries Posted on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 12:49:03 AM MST
Burnt out of my store install bays.

Hi group.
I've been away from this board for awhile. It seems any time I'm away from here for awhile I see a bunch of new names when I return.
On July 6th at around 8:00 O'clock I recieved a phone call and was told my retail car stereo store was ablaze.
We'd close the store a 6:00. The fire was contained mostly to the install bays/shop with some smoke damage to the show room area.
From that phone call through the entier week to follow was nothing but ^&#@!ell.
My wife and I have been putting long HRs ever since. The days right after the fire were running in the 100 + degree range. We had now power.
Each day from early in the morning till late at night consisted of. Cleaning, dabree removle, security (remaining unhurt inventory) dealing with fire inspectors, insurance claims addjusters, cleaning people, rebuilding people on & on & on.
Its been pure ^&%$#@ell.
But then yesterday we heard the report of the bridge collaps and rememberd what someone said. Now matter how bad your problems are, seems like theres allways someone else is having worse truobles.
I was hopeing by this time I'd have some blade test #s to report from my tunneless wind tunnel but just like most all my want to do preojects this too is placed on the old back burnner.
Right now that back burnner is so far out back its in another galaxy.
Since we've been without income I'll maybe post some stuff for sale here at a real good price?
Seems like the heavy duty power stuff used in car audio is a natural for RE.
You know like power wire, fuses and holders up to 300 amps with outdoor type marine covers, gold distribution blocks, wire ties, ringtunges up to 4/0 gage, 1 farrad through 100 farrad caps, signle and dual dist blocks with 4 ga. in 4X8ga. out, 0 ga. with 4ga. out, ECT, ECT.
Well I think I've lost a year or 2 progrees here but life goes on. A few years back I beat cancer I'm sure I can beat this one too.
Thanks Tom W for the encuragment to tell my story.
I don't want pitty or that sort of stuff but I just wanted to let you guys know why my absence.
I may be down but I'm not out. As Arnold would say.
"I'll be back"
JK TAS Jerry

Fire in shop. | 35 comments (35 topical)

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by TomW on Thu Aug 02, 2007 at 07:26:22 PM MST

Jerry;

Well, in my experience, when you get knocked for a loop you stand up, dust yourself off and carry on.

Truly sorry this happened but I am sure you are no quitter so you will recover in time.

Anything I can do just let me know.

Cheers.

TomW

The Truth is the Truth, even if no one believes it; and a lie is a lie even if everyone believes it

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by Norm on Thu Aug 02, 2007 at 08:21:06 PM MST

Gee whiz Jerry...sorry to hear about that...
and here I was complaining that it's been so
hot the last few days that I can't seem to get much done.
Like you say no matter how bad your problems
seem to be.....
Norm.
( :>) Norm

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by richhagen on Thu Aug 02, 2007 at 09:16:07 PM MST

Sorry to hear about the fire. I hope that you can get your store back up and open in short order. Thank goodness that you guys are OK, and that you have the abilities that you do to help your business get back on its feet. I will keep you an your family in my thoughts. Rich Hagen
'A Joule saved is a Joule made'

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by electrondady1 on Thu Aug 02, 2007 at 09:26:22 PM MST

insurance?

[ Parent ]

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by Countryboy on Thu Aug 02, 2007 at 09:33:58 PM MST

I wish you the best getting everything back up and running. Stuff can be replaced. People can't. Thank goodness the fire occurred after hours, when the store was closed.

I am reminded of a story DanB told me once. He had a place burn. He said it was the best thing that ever happened to him. If that place had never burned, he would never have met his wife, had a daughter, created Otherpower, and would have little income.

When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.

Although inconvenient, I hope your life is enriched by the fire just as Dan's was.

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by domwild on Thu Aug 02, 2007 at 11:21:27 PM MST

Jerry,
Sorry to hear that. First there was a death that knocked you back, etc. Now the fire. We all hope you can get back on your feet soon.
dom We only ever use the best fencing wire for our repairs!

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by zubbly on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 01:11:34 AM MST

hey Jerry!

i know what you are going through. i remember when i got a similar call to find out that my first rewind shop was lighting up the city. the 500 hp i just rewound was in the bake oven curing the varnish and had caught fire. shop damage was over $275,000 and took a few months to re-build and get in new equip.

most important thing....you or your family didn't get hurt. next thing ya know is you will be posting pics of the new shop :).

our hearts are with ya!

zubbly

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by hiker on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 03:50:09 AM MST

sorry to hear about all that jerry...
any ideas yet on what caused the fire??
im sure youl spring back in no time...
well take care..im sure we all are hoping the best for yah.....
WILD IN ALASKA
[ Parent ]

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by thefinis on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 05:28:13 AM MST

Sorry to hear about the fire but glad ya'll are okay. That 100+ heat makes everything seem worse and makes it harder to get anything done.

If the show room is workable but the bays are burnt have you considered renting or buying some tents to set up for install bays while the rebuild is going on? Insurance might even cover it. Some rolling carts for tools etc that can be locked up inside at night. Just a suggestion as I am sure you have had plenty of thoughts on what to do during the rebuild time.

Hang in there it should all work out.
Finis
Texas born and bred

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by RogerAS on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 05:45:20 AM MST

Jerry,

I'm very sorry this happened. If there is anything this former resident of Oregon can do to help just say the word.

Did all your turbines on the roof go with the blaze?

Hang in there!
Roger AS
9 Years off-grid & counting

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#11)
by disaray1 on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 05:49:06 AM MST

Jerry- I was just getting ready to put out an APB for you. Sorry to hear of the set back. We all know that you'll get through it though. And like the old blackberry bush that's in the yard- if you set it on fire every once in a while, it'll come back even more beautiful and productive than before!

BTW, did the inspectors or insurance co. have anything to say about all that "stuff" on the roof? ;)

Keep your head up. This too shall pass!

David

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#12)
by A6D9 on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 06:26:04 AM MST

Jerry....

Stand Tall and be proud. Someday in the futur you will look back onto this and tell all kinds of stories to friends and families.

And you will be proud you were lucky enought to expirience such an expirience.

what happends ion all of our lives makes us who we are today. Their is no use regreatign anything just learning.

Good luck in the recovery and if their is anythign I can do to help. Please don;t be shy.

PS. I got a 1991 VW jetta, I"m thinking single dual voice coil sub. I got a kicker 800.2KX allready or somethign along those lines.

You goign to be "clearrancing" any good quality subs in the near future feel free to contact me. :)
Thanx Darren
[ Parent ]

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#13)
by DanB on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 07:16:06 AM MST

Sorry to hear this Jerry. I hope it comes back together quickly for you and hopefully in the end it'll be better than ever...
Good luck w/it all...

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#14)
by AbyssUnderground on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 07:37:08 AM MST

Sorry to hear this Jerry. Glad you and your family are OK, thats what's important.

http://www.repowered.co.uk - My Renewable Energy site.
msn[at]m3ezw.co.uk - my msn if you want a chat.

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#15)
by luv2weld on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 08:54:58 AM MST

Jerry,
My sentiments are the same as the other folks here. The worst things happen to the
best people.
Since we consider you a friend, as others have said, anything we can do----???
You must have done something really nice for someone because----
"No good deed goes unpunished."

Hey, do you happen to have a Paypal account? That would make it really
easy for us to order from you. Also, do you have a website??

Ralph
"The best way to kill time is to work it to death!!"

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#20)
by hiker on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 12:57:15 PM MST

luv2weld...
heres jerrys site.........
http://www.dplusv.com/Photo-03.html
WILD IN ALASKA
[ Parent ]

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#29)
by luv2weld on Sat Aug 04, 2007 at 06:54:10 AM MST

Hiker,
thanks. But I didn't ask the question right. I should have asked if
his store had a site so we could order. He said that they have had
no income for a while and I was looking for a way to help them out.
Even when the income stops, the bills just keep on coming!!!!
If we were each to make a small donation to the Paypal account,
it would at least help keep them going.

Ralph
"The best way to kill time is to work it to death!!"
[ Parent ]

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#16)
by Nando on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 10:35:43 AM MST

Jerry:

My voice and thoughts are added to all those that have expressed and felt your despair

Hang on and step-by-step go forward to a better future.

Nando

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#17)
by Dave B on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 11:02:48 AM MST

Jerry,
Sorry to hear of your set back. Most important is nobody got hurt. Things can be replaced and I am sure you will move forward each day toward your recovery. We are all behind you here, take care. Dave B.

[ Parent ]

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#18)
by cyplesma on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 12:05:30 PM MST

sorry to hear about the fire.

but......

take some pics and send them in to ABC's Extreme home makeover. 8 ) Get that guy on the job to rebuild the shop 8 )

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#19)
by tecker on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 12:46:49 PM MST

I've taken alot from your hard work and inspiration from your matter of fact style .
Any thing you need pass it along to the board and I 'll help in any way I can.

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#21)
by Ungrounded Lightning Rod on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 01:49:46 PM MST

Let me add my condolences, and relief that no people were hurt.

Good luck with recovery.

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#22)
by FishbonzWV on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 02:25:03 PM MST

Jerry,

Sorry to hear you had such a misfortune.
I was wondering why we haven't heard from you lately.
I look for your posts every time I log on and really enjoy them.
I'm sure the pain has lessened somewhat by now, so keep your chin up.
It will get better!

Fishbonz

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#23)
by vawtman on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 04:44:26 PM MST

Hi Jerry
With your talents and the wifes support and talents im sure you will bounce back better than ever.Sorry about the setback.
Keep fightin bud.
Mark

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#24)
by Jerry on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 09:01:03 PM MST

WHO!!!!

Thanks guys. I'm a littel old softy some times and even tear up at weddings and funerals.

And now this Awsome responce. I need a tisue. Its amazing to have this level of support from folks in most cases I've never met.

I must confess you've all tuched my heart. Thanks everyone so much.

You know in time I'll be back to stir up a debate or 2 here.

At the time of the fire there were no wind generators on the roof. They were all down for upgrades, repairs, replacement ECT.

Hope to get some new and exsiting stuff back up on the roof. However this may take a littel longer now?

DanB now that my son lives in Ft. Collins I was hoping to see him and stop by again to see you.

This will have to wait till next sommer now.

My wife just got us setup on PayPal allthough we"ve not accepted payment this way yet we're ready to give it a go.

I'll try to find a few things for the classifides soon.

The night of the fire a Portland TV station and the Local news papper were there taking pictures.

The news papper got me abit upset. The following day the papper story read "fire started from elactrical problems" a firemen was posing and pointing to my 2850 LB. RE battery as though that was the problem fire starter. It was not.

The area around the battery was untuched by the flames and looked new, just over the firemens right shoulder 6 ft away was a very black burnt wall just above a workbenc
were a charger from a cordless drill caused the hole thing.

We fuse everthing. We have too. Theres too much liability for connecting things to batteries without proper fusing at least within 18" of battery positive.

So the Newspapper made us look inept (SP?) when infact they missled there readers.

I took this as a vote of no confidence and I take that personal. After 50 years in electronics and 30 years doing car stereo it just realy bugged me they would report the story that way.

Oh sorry guys that sounded like a rant. This is no place for that now concidering all the kind words above.

Hope your all here when I get through all this crud. Your a great bunch and wouldn't want to loose any of you guys.

Thanks again.

Best regards......................Jerry

JK TAS Jerry

Airheads Page

[ Parent ]

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#26)
by tecker on Sat Aug 04, 2007 at 04:59:45 AM MST

The paper story makes Cents to me the parent Cos are heavely invested in Blue Chips .
They like to put up a Front as neutral but Their main control transmissions have a core deep in the Grid Matrix.

[ Parent ]

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#27)
by bob golding on Sat Aug 04, 2007 at 06:47:35 AM MST

hi jerry,
dont get upset by the press. they are in general a load of scum bags who will print what they like regardless of the facts. i know having been interviewed a number of times of the years. if there isnt a story they make one up. "huge battery starts fire" will sell more papers than "cordless drill charger starts fire".if the drill charger was a named make you could maybe get some compensation from the manufacturer.

cheers
bob golding

[ Parent ]

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#28)
by Gary D on Sat Aug 04, 2007 at 06:48:52 AM MST

Jerry, as with all here, I'm glad no one was hurt physically! You could contact the paper, or a local T.V. station and help them do a consumer alert/ warning about the potential dangers of battery chargers. Doing everything RIGHT doesn't mean that bad things won't happen. I'd hate to think how many millions of people owning cordless drills/ combo's have NO CLUE of the potential dangers involved (chargers on carpets/closets and such in the home). T.V. stations have at least one person that does "informative" things like this. If the fire marshal adds his/her 2 cents maybe you can turn this tragedy into a positive for someone else... (and tell em' you're rebuilding and back in business)... Hang tough, happy you're back, and safe, even if a bit frazzled... Gary D.

[ Parent ]

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#25)
by elvin1949 on Fri Aug 03, 2007 at 10:07:29 PM MST

Jerry
Glad nobody was hurt.I would be willing to bet,
It will come together better than before.
Someone should have a talk with that reporter,
and show him the error in his way's.
Anything i can do just holler.
good luck with the rebuild.
later
Elvin

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#30)
by stephent on Sat Aug 04, 2007 at 07:06:52 AM MST

Sorry to hear of the fire, Jerry.
But that is history now, today and tomorrow are the only days to count now.
Heads up, and build the shop back.

Actually during these type trying times I want to choke doo-doo out of Murphy, but he isn't available.....maybe try the reporter for a bit of satisfaction? :)

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#31)
by getterdone on Sat Aug 04, 2007 at 11:57:37 AM MST

jerry.... hang in there. the trials of life [in the end] will make you a better person. it sure at times don't seem fair.
If I were smart I'd be dangerous

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#32)
by jht1057 on Sat Aug 04, 2007 at 07:10:51 PM MST

Jerry,

Though I am new to this group, my heart goes out to you and your family. Thank goodness no one was hurt. I share your pain through experience. My home, contents and two pets were lost to fire the day after christmas a few years ago. The hardest loss was the animals, the rest was just stuff. All has been rebuilt and life moves on.
Take care, be patient, in time all will be well again.

Jim
"Should you allow someone to tell you it can't be done, it won't be"

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#33)
by motoman465 on Sun Aug 05, 2007 at 09:30:18 AM MST

Jerry,

I am so sorry to hear about the fire, I am just grateful that nobody was hurt. Just try to keep a positive outlook and you will get through this.

Todd

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#34)
by Experimental on Sun Aug 05, 2007 at 10:13:36 AM MST

Hello Jerry,
Like all the others here, I,m very sorry to hear of your problems and sure wish you a speedy recovery !!
I also appologize for not getting down to visit, but haven,t gone anywhere lately as we too have had several setbacks...
At any rate, we wish you well and hope all goes well in the "rebuild" and being familiar with fire damage, I know some of the worst part, is the smoke damage and smell of things never actually hit by flame, not to mention the damage done by water, putting out the fire !!
Take care and hope all goes well, our best to you, Bill and Susan H....

Re: Fire in shop. (3.00 / 0) (#35)
by nothing to lose on Mon Aug 06, 2007 at 07:18:59 AM MST

Hi Jerry,

Sorry to hear about the fire.
I been having various problems here and not been online or the forum hardly for awhile so I just read about it today myself.

You should try to get that wrong info about the fire cleared up and get it known that the fire was caused by the drill charger! Besides the other reasons mentioned, it simply does not look good to be in electronic business and have an electrical fire caused by a battery, even though we know it was not really.

Well I'm on the rocks here also at the moment, but anything you need or I can help with e-mail me and I'll do anything I can to help of course.

.
nothing to lose

Spelin and tpying are my strong points, not electronics.

Fire in shop. | 35 comments (35 topical)

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