Disaster strikes OldCarGuy's Toy Shop!
December 14, 2020 bad luck came my way. A massive fire started by my four year old laptop computer. I finished using my garage shop laptop around 8:00 PM. And like most users, I left it plugged in to charge. Then I finished working in the garage attached to my workshop until midnight. Followed by going to bed. I had a dream that I was caught in a fire and woke up at 4:00 AM sharp. At which time there was no sign of a fire. I went down stairs and shut off the furnace. And went through the attached garage that too had no evidence of fire. But when I walked past the steel door to my shop. I could feel the intense heat. There's no way I was going inside the shop. Then went out that garage man door, once outside I could see a huge plume of black smoke billowing well past the second floor of the shop.
I reported the fire on 911 call. Then made my way to turn off the electric in main distribution panel in another garage that's 75' from the shop. Also turned off the main gas lines. Within minutes four police cars appeared. Followed by five huge tanker fire trucks. Though the local fire station is within five miles of my house, my house in the rural area, and there's no fire hydrants. Within minutes two dozen firemen were suited up in in full heat protection gear including face masks and oxygen bottles on their backs... These fine men worked like a well oiled machine. Little on no words between them. Being well trained for the task at hand. Constantly relaying questions to me. In less than an hour they had things under control..
I am a huge fan of our safety forces. And I'm so thankful that they'd risk their lives for me and my property. Heck both the Police and Fire Chief's were there to overlook their men. So it's five o'clock AM and the forces are cleaning up their gear. The Fire Chief knowing that I was home alone. He came my way to comfort me. And acknowledging that I wouldn't get any sleep. But he's leaving two men behind until the morning when the Fire Marshall will be there. Just to keep an eye on the shop in case there's a flareup.
Over the following week, both the Fire Marshall and a private Fire Investigator determined the laptop computer started the fire. Then perpetuated it. And there was nothing that I could have known the damage it could have caused. He made an astonishing and compelling statement. If this would have been any other attached garage in the county. He was quick to say, I would have been killed by the fire and the whole house and five garages would have been burnt to the ground.. He went on to say the choice of fire rated drywall, insulation, windows doors, quality workmanship, etc made all the difference. As there was no damage to the second floor over the shop, the attached garage that shares a 20 foot wall, nor the attached house.
I was totally distraught... This cannot be real. As if I'm dreaming still. Have I dreamed it all? Or could I be simply hemorrhaging inside? For several weeks I made up my mind to shut her down. End this defective gene I've possessed. Sell off all my collection of antique cars, machinery and tools. Maybe just collect stamps.
With all my family insistence. Convincing me that I'd never be happy giving up on my passion. I decided to rebuild Grandpa's Toy Shop! To heights well beyond anything I've had in the past.. Or could dream about....
This should give an idea the damage.
