By David May
editor@mineralwellsindex.com
Fire ravaged a manufacturing business early Friday morning, putting it out of business for the foreseeable future.
Some 20 paid and volunteer firefighters from Mineral Wells responded to the 2 a.m. alarm at Advanced Tooling Inc. just north of the city limits in the 3600 block of U.S. Highway 281 North.
Owner Larry Thomas said it appears the large metal building – its roof and sides scarred and buckled from the intense heat – and the contents are a total loss.
“They are saying it damaged the foundation,” Thomas said. He estimated his loss at $500,000. The fire did not damage an adjacent frame office building.
No injuries were reported.
Thomas has owned the business about seven years, he said, moving it in May 2006 from Holly Hill Road.
The business employed seven people, manufacturing oil field parts and molding. Thomas said his employees would have to file for unemployment, saying he did not know if his insurance would cover wage losses.
He said he fully intends to rebuild his business at that location since he owns two lots there.
Deputy Fire Marshal Steve Perdue, who remained at the scene at 9 a.m. Friday after arriving shortly after 2 a.m., said the fire’s cause remains under investigation, though he added it is not suspicious. He said he called the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which conducted an investigation. Perdue said he called ATF as a matter of routine for a commercial fire.
Thomas said it appears the fire started in an office area built inside the manufacturing building, located on the north side of the structure. He said it looks as though the fire started in the area where computers were located.
“The theory is that it started in the computer room,” Thomas stated.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Advanced Tooling Inc. owner Larry Thomas, left, talks with Deputy Fire Marshal Steve Perdue on Friday morning concerning the fire that destroyed his business. David May/Index
The Index welcomes comments. Inappropriate language or comments that do not meet our standards will be removed. Comments by guests made anonymously must be approved before they appear.
Fire destroys local business
- Local News
-
-
Police Beat: Thefts, burglaries reported
According to Mineral Wells police reports, there were a number of property crimes reported over the past few days.
-
Thursday Blotter
The following people were processed through the Palo Pinto County Jail.
-
Driver killed in rollover wreck
The driver of a vehicle involved in a rollover crash just south of Mineral Wells Tuesday night died at the scene, according to authorities.
-
Local farmers hoping to hang on to crop insurance in next farm bill
Last year, farmers in Palo Pinto County saw drought and record heat take their toll on their crops.
-
Single-vehicle crash injures driver
According to reports, the only individual involved in an early morning crash Monday was transported to Palo Pinto General Hospital for unspecified injuries.
-
Police Beat: man arrested for allegedly pulling gun
According to Mineral Wells police, Ryan Matthew Segars, 31, of Mineral Wells, was arrested Monday on a charge stemming from an incident earlier this month.
-
County Records- Jan. 23-30
Palo Pinto County
Clerk Janette Green -
Mineral Wells man among newest crop of state troopers
AUSTIN – Fifty-seven men and women became Texas Highway Patrol troopers Jan. 19 after reciting the state’s law enforcement oath and receiving their badges during a ceremony in Austin.
-
New construction in county now needs a permit
PALO PINTO – Palo Pinto County Commissioners unanimously approved a motion at Monday’s meeting to begin requiring a type of building permit for new construction – homes and commercial – and new mobile homes in unincorporated areas of the county.
-
TXU, Salvation Army team up to offer low-income energy efficiency assistance program
The Salvation Army, Palo Pinto Service Unit, has been awarded a grant from TXU Energy to provide to the residence of Palo Pinto County with the following energy efficient products:
- More Local News Headlines
-
Police Beat: Thefts, burglaries reported
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
