Fire destroys Hett s Repair
Fire departments able to contain fire, saves neighboring buildings
Even though fire consumed Hett's Repair, 111 E. Main, Marion, early Sunday morning, by Monday the Hett family and Kevin Burkholder were cleaning up debris.
According to Marion Fire Chief Mike Regnier, Marion firefighters responded at 5:29 a.m. Sunday to a 911 call.
Within minutes of the call, the building was engulfed with fire — flames shooting from the building and black smoke rising to the sky.
Marion, Hillsboro, and Peabody fire crews responded to the massive fire.
Electricity was disconnected in the business district from 6 a.m. to about 8:30 a.m.
Darvin Markley was on the scene — moving vehicles parked near the blazing building.
"We very much appreciated Darvin moving the vehicles," said Regnier.
Hillsboro Fire Department responded with its ladder truck, and kept a constant water spray on the burning building and the roof of Marion Auto Supply, located directly east.
Marion Auto Supply sustained minimal roof damage but otherwise was open for business Monday morning.
"There was a really good firewall between the two buildings," commented Regnier.
The fire appeared to have started in the rear of the auto repair shop but the cause of the fire was undetermined.
"The state fire marshal was here Sunday morning and investigated the blaze," Regnier explained, and made the official finding.
About 9 a.m., firefighters were able to pull a smoldering truck from the building. Otherwise, all equipment and contents were lost in the fire.
In all, 30 firefighters fought the fire. Regnier was appreciative of their response.
"The mutual aid agreements are a great thing," Regnier said.
Marion has agreements with fire departments in neighboring towns to assist with fires in their cities and to receive assistance.
Bystanders at the fire scene commented that the entire block could have been destroyed if not for the quick response of the fire departments and access to the Hillsboro ladder truck.
A Marion fire truck and crew members remained on the scene until 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
The building, owned by Kevin and Kristina Burkholder, Marion, was appraised at $50,000 by the Marion County Appraiser's office, and was a total loss.
The auto repair business, owned by Troy Hett, also was a total loss with four vehicles and equipment destroyed.
Two of the vehicles belonged to customers that Hett was in the process of repairing, said Regnier. The other two were mud trucks used in mud runs by Troy and Tony Hett.
The Burkholders used a portion of the building for personal storage, and lost a boat and two jet skis.
Tony Hett also lost equipment from his dirt-work business.
At press time, a total estimate of loss of vehicles and equipment had not yet been determined.
Tampa State Bank has established a fund for donations to assist the Hett brothers. Contributions can be made at the Marion or Tampa bank.
