Rebuilding of Burned Firehouse To Come In Stages

The roof collapse and resulting fire at the building in February began a long process of planning and rebuilding, but much of the construction remains undone despite a December target date for completion.

"Collecting against our insurance claim is a process that has taken more time than we had originally anticipated," said Dennis Beard, public information officer. "There are many details and so many variables to be considered when dealing with a payout of this magnitude. Our original hopes to be in the new building in December may still be a reality, albeit of a lesser proportion."

The roof collapse, caused by the weight of more than three feet of February snow, sheared off a two-inch natural gas line, which exacerbated a fire that damaged a social hall, adjoining administrative wing and the men's bunk room. The station's day room, TV room, kitchen and classroom also received significant smoke and water damage.

The damaged areas and debris have been removed by the Berg Corporation and reconstruction of a facility designed by the architectural firm of Manns & Woodward is under way. The building will be completed in several phases by Mullin Contracting.

The initial phase will include the housing area with beds and showers and it is still possible that it will be completed in late December, said Beard. The social hall, named "The Phoenix" from the mythical bird said to have the ability to be reborn from its own ashes, and the classrooms and administrative offices will be completed in at least one additional construction phase, he added.

While members of the fire department have often witnessed the suffering and sorrow caused by fire, smoke and water damage, the destruction of their own headquarters gave them even greater empathy, said Beard.

"I thought that I'd seen it all before," said Beard. "But when it happens where you live and where you work, you get an even greater understand of how anguishing it really is."

But Beard said the department has kept its optimism.

"As unfortunate as the fire was, a new beginning is in the future," he said. "We will have something better than we had, and the public will be better off than we were before this happened. I think we will all be proud of the finished product."