Fire at Chevy dealership
Smoke and ash ruin showroom cars
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This 1997 Chevrolet pickup was destroyed Saturday in an early-morning fire that is under investigation.
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries in the 3 a.m. blaze at Eagle Chevrolet on Route 58, which drew some 80 volunteers from the Riverhead, Flanders and Jamesport fire departments, officials said.
"The firefighters did a good job confining the fire to the one vehicle," said Riverhead fire chief Robert Zaweski. "There was minimal damage to the building itself, other than the heavy smoke and soot damage throughout the building."
Employees of a cleaning company removing soot in Eagle Chevrolet's parts storage room.
"They're investigating to see exactly what the cause was," said Mr. Calisi. "The fire was contained to the service department but the smoke caused more damage than the actual fire."
The affected building is the smaller of two at the dealership, Mr. Calisi said. He has since been able to consolidate all his resources in the larger building, about 20 feet away.
Mr. Calasi said the materials that burned made for a toxic combination of smoke and ash that seeped into the interior of about 10 cars, causing some $1 million worth of damage.
"They don't look like there's anything wrong with them but once it gets into the seats and in the car you never get it out," he said, adding that $300,000 worth of parts were also ruined.
He said the damaged cars could not be refurbished and sold as new at market value.
"They're considered un-warrantyable," he said. "We would never sell those cars."
Mr. Calisi said he was "just glad" no one was seriously injured and that he won't have to lay off any employees due to the fire. He also was impressed with the fire departments' response, as were the investigators at his insurance company, he said.
"The investigators, who travel the country, noted how little damage [occurred] and how quickly they got the fire out," he said. "They thought this was one of the best responses they've ever seen.
"The smoke was so thick and black it was impossible to see through. They did a great job."
The cause of the fire is being investigated by Riverhead Town fire marshals.
mwhite@timesreview.com
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