CHARDON — An early Monday morning fire destroyed much of the city’s street department equipment and maintenance garage, according to city fire officials.
City manager David Lelko said the loan of three 3-1⁄2 ton dump trucks, plows and salt spreaders came from Concord and Chardon Townships for temporary use.
“Much of the equipment we have was heavily damaged by the fire. Some will need major repairs. Everything was stored in a metal building, which has been here for 35 years or more,” Lelko said.
He said the street department will be operating temporarily out of the wastewater treatment plant location at North Hambden and Grant Streets. Lelko was talking with insurance adjusters part of Monday following the fire and said the city is covered with insurance for the losses.
“We had 11 units including vehicles stored in the garage at the time of the fire. I’m not sure what the costs of any repairs will be. There is also the cost of replacing what can’t be repaired,” Lelko said.
Chardon Fire Chief Larry Gaspar said the alarm came in at 3:48 a.m. with crews arriving three minutes later to fight the blaze. The garage is located at 320 Park Ave., close to Western Reserve Farm Co-Op Store complex. There was no damage at the WRF store complex.
Mutual aid trucks and crews were called in from Munson, Hambden, Burton, Chesterland and Montville fire departments in Geauga. Lake County fire companies including Concord, Willoughby Hills and Kirtland also brought in equipment and manpower.
Gaspar reported initially fire crews found heavy smoke venting from the entire building when they arrived. Firemen made entry into the structure, but then were pulled out after signs of flash over occurred. The fire was brought under control in about three hours, the chief said.
No one was in the building at the time. Cause of the fire is still under investigation by fire officials.
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