Fire at classic auto shop
Published 12:00 am Friday, July 27, 2012
Batesville firefighter Harvey Flowers grabs a second fire hose to make entry at Hinton’s Rides and Rods Friday morning at a fire in the shop’s bay area.
Michael Hubbard (far left) and others hurriedly move a Ford Mustang from Hinton’s Rides and Rods on Friday as the sound of firetrucks could be heard approaching the shop on Highway 6 West. Smoke was seeping from bay doors as the volunteers made room for the firefighters.
Batesville firefighters subdued a blaze that threatened Hinton’s Rides and Rods at 543 Highway 6 West Friday morning.
Firefighters first attacked the fire through a blackened door as thick black smoke rolled out all four bay doors, all located on the east side of the building.
Firefighters pulled a second line through a bay door after a firefighter raised the door minutes later.
Firefighters believe the fire started in at a work bay where a 1968 Corvette owned by a Lafayette County man was parked. There was speculation the fire started in or around the automobile due to the heavy damage, but an investigation had yet to get under way Friday.
Fire damage appeared largely confined to that Corvette, its work bay area, and to the ceiling of an adjacent work bay where a 1957 Corvette owned by Danny Holland was undergoing restoration.
Holland said he was across the highway in his office, at 520 Highway 6 West, when he noticed sirens and lights, and believed there was an automobile accident.
Holland’s Corvette and a 1969 Roadrunner owned by another customer suffered smoke damage, and Holland said his automobile, which he inspected after the fire, would require being disassembled due to the damage.
One employee was in the building at the time the fire started as well as a dog that the firemen removed, unharmed.
