firenresq77
02-03-2004, 07:19 PM
WTOL Story and Footage (http://wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=1627159)
TOLEDO -- Employees of Maumee Valley Fabrications, Inc. and Tool Crib, Inc. met Tuesday morning to discuss their future. The businesses on Bennett Road were severly damaged when a major fire broke out Monday afternoon.
"Very black smoke and a lot of it going right towards our house," said neighbor Ron Zomkowski as he described what he saw.
Other neighbors said the smoke and flames were scary. "Folks like myself are a bit frightened about that," said Vince Wuwert. But no one was as worried as those who live right next door. "I'm just hoping they get it out as soon as possible so we can get power back," said Joe Cumpian who stood just feet away from the flames shooting into the sky.
Karen Coolidge works with the fabricators. "One of the gals that owns the Tool Crib had heard some popping sounds," said Coolidge. "She opened the closet and flames just shot up to the wall," she added. Coolidge went on to tell us Tool Crib owner Liz Robles then ran for help.
Workers thought about using an extinguisher, but they got worried about the paints and explosive chemicals inside so they got everyone out safely. Firefighters were concerned about the chemicals as well, plus the nearby apartments and very worried when walls started collapsing. That's when they got all firefighters out from inside the building. "It's a very difficult fire from the standpoint of the size of the building," said Fire Chief Michael Bell. "It's a little difficult on the backside of the building, but I'm extremely pleased with the firefighters efforts," he told us.
Now owners are focusing their efforts to evaluate where they go from here with the plant and their 60 workers. "It's a pretty sad situation, pretty scary," said Coolidge. "Business had just started to turn around. We have a lot of product in the shop," she added.
Maumee Valley Fabrications VP Bob Palmer says the company plans to rebuild and move on.
Files, papers, drawings have all been destroyed, but the manufacturing area didn't get hit with too many flames. They could be able to continue making the custom metal and machining for the steel and energy industry.
Maumee Valley Fabrications has been in Toledo since 1978. The Tool Crib has been renting space from them and employs three people.
Updated Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 2:35 p.m. by bwray@wtol.com
TOLEDO -- Employees of Maumee Valley Fabrications, Inc. and Tool Crib, Inc. met Tuesday morning to discuss their future. The businesses on Bennett Road were severly damaged when a major fire broke out Monday afternoon.
"Very black smoke and a lot of it going right towards our house," said neighbor Ron Zomkowski as he described what he saw.
Other neighbors said the smoke and flames were scary. "Folks like myself are a bit frightened about that," said Vince Wuwert. But no one was as worried as those who live right next door. "I'm just hoping they get it out as soon as possible so we can get power back," said Joe Cumpian who stood just feet away from the flames shooting into the sky.
Karen Coolidge works with the fabricators. "One of the gals that owns the Tool Crib had heard some popping sounds," said Coolidge. "She opened the closet and flames just shot up to the wall," she added. Coolidge went on to tell us Tool Crib owner Liz Robles then ran for help.
Workers thought about using an extinguisher, but they got worried about the paints and explosive chemicals inside so they got everyone out safely. Firefighters were concerned about the chemicals as well, plus the nearby apartments and very worried when walls started collapsing. That's when they got all firefighters out from inside the building. "It's a very difficult fire from the standpoint of the size of the building," said Fire Chief Michael Bell. "It's a little difficult on the backside of the building, but I'm extremely pleased with the firefighters efforts," he told us.
Now owners are focusing their efforts to evaluate where they go from here with the plant and their 60 workers. "It's a pretty sad situation, pretty scary," said Coolidge. "Business had just started to turn around. We have a lot of product in the shop," she added.
Maumee Valley Fabrications VP Bob Palmer says the company plans to rebuild and move on.
Files, papers, drawings have all been destroyed, but the manufacturing area didn't get hit with too many flames. They could be able to continue making the custom metal and machining for the steel and energy industry.
Maumee Valley Fabrications has been in Toledo since 1978. The Tool Crib has been renting space from them and employs three people.
Updated Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at 2:35 p.m. by bwray@wtol.com