Fire guts Woodards American Auto Parts in Ypsilanti Township
Woodards American Auto Parts was gutted today.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
A four-alarm fire gutted Woodards American Auto Parts at 2260 E. Michigan Ave. in Ypsilanti Township this afternoon.
Employee Henry Moldovanov said he was driving a customer's car into the garage about 1:20 p.m. when he noticed smoke in the adjacent junkyard. He said he grabbed a fire extinguisher and tried to put it out but couldn't.
He quickly drove the car out and he and, with the help of another employee, removed oxygen tanks used for torches from the business. Two customers also evacuated the business before the fire spread from the junkyard to the building.
Firefighters from Ypsilanti Township, Ypsilanti, Pittsfield Township and Superior Township battled the blaze.
Ypsilanti Township Fire Chief Eric Copeland said the fire was accidentally started by a welding torch. Sparks from the torch landed in an open space in the building's east wall, quickly igniting the insulation. The fire spread to the roof within moments.
Copeland did not have a damage estimate, but said he suspected the building is "a total loss."
Several fire departments were called to battle the blaze.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Comments
Cash
Wed, Jul 7, 2010 : 12:05 p.m.
Thank God no one was hurt. My hopes for a good future for Mr Woodard and his employees. Don't give up on Ypsilanti...we are Ypsi-Strong!
Jeremy
Tue, Jul 6, 2010 : 11:10 p.m.
I think a big heartfelt thanks should go out to the fine men and women of the various fire deaprtments involved today. Ypsilanti Township, Ypsilanti City, Pittsfield Township and Superior Township should be proud and feel safe with theses fine citizens protecting us. Great job today guys in not only saving other businesses, but also, fighting the weather. Thank you
zAmboni
Tue, Jul 6, 2010 : 10:37 p.m.
I've uploaded a bunch of images of the fire I took earlier today. You can view them over at my Flickr page here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/zamb0ni/sets/72157624440125048/ I'm sorry for the loss for both Leonard and Henry. We live a block away and it was tough to see a neighboring business hit like this.
Woodards American Auto Parts
Tue, Jul 6, 2010 : 9:42 p.m.
We at Woodards American Auto Parts would like to thank the community for all of the support we have received. We were devastated today by a fire that claimed our building and we thank god that no-one was injured. We do not yet know the cause of the fire but we may be closed for a short time. Our plan is to rebuild and re-open as soon as possible for our loyal customers. We have been in business for thirty years and have come to know and love so many people in that time. Here at Woodards we have really decent business practices and our customers have become our long time friends. And today that showed, our friends from all corners of the community all came or contacted us to show their support. Everyones kindness was heartwarming, overwhelming, and greatly appreciated. Also we were not the only business hurt today; Discount Towing owned by Henry Moldovano was a tenant in the back of the building. Once again thank you for the support. Leonard Woodard Woodards American Auto Parts
Mikey2u
Tue, Jul 6, 2010 : 7:15 p.m.
Too bad. Woodards was one of the few remaining businesses along that stretch of Michigan Ave.
Benjamin P
Tue, Jul 6, 2010 : 7:04 p.m.
Henry is actually the owner discount towing/auto repairs which is also located in the same building not an employee of woodards.
dading dont delete me bro
Tue, Jul 6, 2010 : 3:35 p.m.
two words in the same sentence, "...Ypilanti Township, Ypsilanti,..." one spelled correctly, the other not... glad no one was hurt. quick thinking to remove oxygen tanks, nice. wonder if there is a code that oxygen tanks should be easily removable from a wall or such just in case of a fire.