Vintage auto lost in fast-moving garage fire

Story and photos by Ray Pauley
Public Information Officer
Grand Island Fire Co.
Grand Island Dispatch, May 2, 2008

Firefighter trainee Nicole Gerber looks on as Fire Investigators Chuck Berlinger
and Steve Merboth confer with the owner and examine debris for fire origin clues.

Shortly after noon on Sunday, April 27, Grand Island Fire Co. firefighters responded to a garage fire at the John Sobieski residence on Stony Point Road. A neighbor reportedly discovered smoke venting from the structure and notified the homeowner, who in turn called 9-1-1 for emergency GIFC assistance, according to Chief Greg Butcher.

The separate garage was fully involved with flames when the first GIFC unit arrived on location within two minutes, and Butcher noted that there was no time to remove a 1980 Camaro that was parked inside undergoing restoration. Combined fire suppression efforts by attack crews utilizing Engines No. 2, No. 3 and No. 5, had the fire knocked down and under control in approximately 25 minutes, although attention to hot spots and overhaul extended on-scene operations.

Butcher estimated structural damage at $25,000, with an additional $15,000 to the contents. GIFC Fire Investigator Chuck Berlinger and his Erie County Sheriff’s Department counterpart Steve Merboth noted that a considerable amount of inflammables were stored in the affected building, although the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined to date.

All GIFC units returned in service at 2:09 p.m., according to Butcher.

The structure and vehicle show the extent of fire damage as well as the upward pattern of the burned area.