Fire at Scott's Shop

[5Etek-mike]

Scott,
I'm very sorry for your tremendous loss. Man, those pics were hard to look at. I join the others here in wanting and being ready to help you in anyway needed.

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit.
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."

Keep your head up Scott, and know that we're ready to help in anyway needed.

[toolferone]

Scott, I got goose bumps all over when I read this. I am so bummed out for you. Like everybody else, let us know when we can help. Everybody sees the tools, but do you have any idea yet about the condition of the items in the safe? Hang in there man!

[RandyJ]

Scott, I am shocked to hear of your misfortune. We are all glad no one was hurt. That's the most important thing. I will also offer my help when you are ready to start the rebuild. Keep your chin up!

[woodrat]

Scott,

I'm very sorry to hear of (and see) your loss. Thank God no one was
hurt.

I echo the sentiments of everyone here...if there is anything I can
help with, just let me know. You helped me out in my time of need
and I was very thankful. Now, if I can help you, just say the word.

Archie

[scsmith42]

All - many, many thanks for your kindness and well wishes.

Regarding the cause of the fire, we don't know much other than that it appeared to start in the attic. I was on the scene within a few minutes of its discovery, and the only places that smoke could be observed was coming out the ridge vents at the peak of the roof. I looked inside the shop and cut the main breaker, and no smoke, flames, etc was evident. After that I grabbed a hose and ran upstairs (had 911 on the cell phone while I was doing this), to start spraying down the roof with a garden hose. At this time I could see from end to end on the apartment and I did not observe any significant smoke inside (although a couple of my farm hands indicated that they saw something coming down through the vent hood over the stove in the apartment).

The best estimates are either the attic vent fan overheated, the vent hood over the stove overheated (it was in operation when the fire started), or a wire in the attic may have shorted and caused the fire. The first place that the fire burned through the roof (other than the ridge) was near the vent hood, so that's the likely culprit.

Archie, I'm afraid that some of your former tools have gone to "the big shop in the sky". The router table was near the door and thus received some regular doses of water, so at least it didn't melt.

Mike - thanks for the poem - it reminds me of something that Teddy Roosevelt wrote.

Tom, I'm hoping and praying that the items in the safe are intact. In addition to the firearms, it's where I stored all of my critical records... The outside of the safe isn't burned too badly, so I am cautiously optimistic. Probably be several days before I know for sure though.

HMH - thanks for the offer!

[rcorne01]

I, too, wish to say I am sorry for the loss of your shop. Again, as has been said several times before, it was good no one was hurt. I took a moment and thought what I would do if I loss my shop and got a horrible pain in my gut. I know it pales to what you are feeling.

The loss of the tools, machines, etc bad. But the motorcycles too? Aw @!#$%!!

[toolman]

Scott

Sorry for your lost! This will take time to get it back 1/2 way the way it was. Let me know when I can help!

[Ivey]

Scott,
I hate it for you man, I've been in your shop and it was a wood workers dream, but like others have said tools can be replaced, glad that you and Doc are OK.
You know all you got to do is call me... Trucks, Tractors, Sawmill, Me, whatever you need.

[Canuck]

Oh man! This is beyond words!!

So sorry for you, Scott. As others have said. Tools can be replaced and I am glad no one was hurt!

If there is anything at all I can do, please put out a call!

Hang in there. There are better days ahead.

Wayne

[russellellis]

Scott sorry for you loss. I know ive never met you, actually ive never met anyone from this site, but i regularly come back home to Chapel Hill to visit friends and family. I should be down sometime between July 13th-20th. I can offer any help you need while im down. I know what its like to lose to a fire all too well.

[Woodman2k]

Scott,
I feel for you,I can't imagine how you feel.Like everybody before me ,if there is anything I can do or help you with,let me know.
Have you called Grizzly so they can ramp up there production?

Seriously,I am a electrician so if you need help with your electrical or anything else for that matter,don't hesitate!

[sapwood]

Shocking photos and fire, Scott. No wonder you are numb.
You have been a wonderful contributor to NCWWer, so we look forward to any chance to help.

Roger

[Travis Porter]

There are no words to express my thoughts.

I am glad no one was injured. As others have offered, let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Anything.

I sincerely hope you have sufficient insurance.

[cptully]

Scott,

I am glad to hear that no one was hurt! I still remember the shock of getting the call that my MIL's house burned down several years ago. Unfortunately I was in Utah at the time and not able to provide much more than moral support to her then.

If you need a big crew for anything post a note and I'm sure many of us will jump into help. I too have way too much time on my hands right now as I am unemployed and not yet having much luck with the job hunt!

Chris

[Alan in Little Washington]

Scott- my sincerest condolences. I guess now it is time to think ahead. If you are adequately insured to replace the building and contents, then you have a rare opportunity to make an even better shop. In addition to inventories for the insurance company, start making a wish list of new tools and things you would do differently in the new shop etc. Maybe folks who have seen your shop will have some suggestions.

To all- this brings up a number of issues I know most of you are now thinking about-

• Are my shop and contents adequately insured?
• Do I need/have an inflation/replacement cost rider on my policy? How does that work with old iron?
• Do I have a complete and accurate inventory? Don't forget to take good (digital) pics of every tool. Don't forget the little stuff, either- it adds up really quickly, especially precision measuring tools and tools like Lie Nielsen planes, etc.
• What kind of firefighting equipment do I have in my shop? What should I have?
• Should the shop have a sprinkler system? Should there at least be one in the wood storage and finishing/paint storage areas?
• How do I dispose of trash, especially finishing supplies and rags contaminated with finishing materials? Where/how do I store my flammables?
• Etc., Etc., Etc.

Unfortunately for Scott, but maybe fortunate for us, Scott should be able to add to this list and pass along some very valuable insights.

The end result maybe- a shop safety, security, insurance checklist? Something to keep in the archives?