Oct 5, 2008 12:05 pm US/Pacific
Blaze Tears Through Beaumont Wood Shutter Business
BEAUMONT
-
-
Winds were not a factor in the fire's behavior, and firefighters had
thus far prevented the blaze from spreading to other properties in the area, CalFire-Riverside County Capt. Fernando Herrera said.
CBS
A ferocious fire chewed through wood, paint, thinners and other flammable material Sunday and "pretty much destroyed" a 5,000-square-foot wood shutter manufacturing business in Beaumont, a CalFire captain said.
The fire was declared contained at 8 a.m., more than two hours after it was first reported. But it was still considered uncontrolled as of 10:30 a.m. as it continued to burn wood used in making shutters, said CalFire-Riverside County Capt. Fernando Herrera.
The fire gutted Wholesale Shutter Company LLC, 411 Olive Ave. in
Beaumont, according to CalFire officials at the scene.
An estimated 40 firefighters were assigned to the blaze. They hoped to
declare the fire controlled by noon, Herrera said.
County hazardous materials and public health specialists were on-scene
to inspect flammable and potentially harmful liquids, but the liquids were no longer fueling the fire by 10:30 a.m., Herrera said.
One civilian at the scene of the blaze was treated and hospitalized for
chest pains, Herrera said. It was not clear if the person had any connection to the business, Herrera said, and no other injuries were reported.
"We're probably going to be there another four hours," Herrera said. "A lot of wood product they used to make shutters is still a concern.
"There's still an issue with the paint and thinners," Herrera said.
"County health and haz-mat are there to ensure there is no contaminated run-off."
There fire was first reported at 5:50 a.m. at Olive Avenue and 4th Street, less than a half-mile south of the Interstate 10-Highway 60 merger in
Beaumont, according to Herrera.
Winds were not a factor in the fire's behavior, and firefighters had
thus far prevented the blaze from spreading to other properties in the area,
Herrera said.
According to its Web site, Wholesale Shutter Company LLC of Beaumont has manufactured "fine wood shutters" for more than 20 years. The company's factory-direct shutters can be found in celebrity homes and at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, according to the business's Web site.
Wholesale Shutter Company makes wood shutters, mini blinds, vertical
blinds, woven shades, bamboo shades, as well as exterior louvered shutters that can be manufactured from "solid poly material or wood," according to the business's Web site.
Calls to the company were not answered.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
