BROOKINGS The Brosts Fashions fire in downtown Brookings on Dec. 30 has been ruled accidental in nature and its cause officially undetermined.
The new information came to light from Brookings Fire Chief Pete Bolzer in a Wednesday news release from the city. The blaze at 318 Main Ave. collapsed the building housing Brosts Fashions, partially collapsed the building housing Seven Songbirds Boutique at 320 Main Ave., and damaged several other businesses. Twelve apartments were also affected at the time, with four destroyed, leaving an estimated 18 people looking for a place to live.
In an earlier story in the Brookings Register, Bolzer said the fire originated in the businesss basement. The release from city further noted that it was in the area of an electrical service panel.
It was probably one of the nastiest, most contrary fires Ive ever fought in 45 years, Bolzer said in the Jan. 3 story. The fire wasnt what it appeared to be. It didnt behave the way we expected it to behave, and it seemed like we were behind the eight ball constantly.
Financial assistance
A fundraising update was also provided Wednesday by Downtown Brookings Executive Director Kirsten Gjesdal. In a word, things are going well.
We now have a, in partnership with Brookings Economic Development (Corp.), we have an application out for businesses to apply for relief funds, and that is a combination of funds put in by BEDC and the hat have been received, she told the Brookings Register. That is out now, and so were hoping that will help with those businesses that were affected.
Gjesdal said those unexpected fire-related costs include things such as item inventory, remediation, insurance deductibles, etc. The application is available online at brookingsedc.com/business; click on the button titled Downtown Brookings Business Fire Relief Grant Program.
Money-wise, she said a little over $22,000 has been raised so far; of that, $10,000 has been dispersed to residents such as apartment tenants who were affected by the blaze. The remaining funds, including money that has yet to come in from other fundraisers and money jars, will be directed toward fire-impacted businesses.
That number is definitely growing, Gjesdal said. This is before we take in any of the jars that are distributed around the community thats before any of that money has been deposited. Theres been a couple of different fundraisers that havent been deposited yet. That number is growing, which is, I think, amazing. Its a really fantastic show of community.
Water usage
Regarding the fires cause being officially undetermined, Bolzer said it shouldnt have any practical effect on insurance coverage.
The fire cause has no bearing on insurance except if the insured utilizes the fire to commit fraud, he pointed out.
He also took a moment earlier this month to shine a light on the firefighters from Ramona they, along with personnel from Volga and Madison, gave a hand to the Brookings Fire Department.
Bolzer said Ramona had a lot of volunteers in their certified firefighter class and inquired if they could come and assist he expected five or six to show up, but was surprised when 10 to 12 arrived.
They really wanted to come help us out, so I wasnt going to turn them down, he said. Most of these are real young guys, and it was an educational experience for them. Its probably something none of them will ever experience again hopefully not!
In closing, City Councilor Bonny Specker provided insights from Brookings Municipal Utilities regarding the citys water system performance during the Dec. 30 fire.
The pressure did remain consistent throughout the fire, Specker reported during the Jan. 14 meeting. They did have to turn on the pumps sort of at full capacity. The combined flow rate from all the efforts was 5,000 gallons per minute.
She said all the water towers remained above half full, which is critical for keeping pressure in the water lines. An estimated total of 1.6 million gallons of water was used to fight the blaze.
Our crews worked tirelessly to contain the fire and prevent its spread to neighboring buildings, despite the significant hazards they faced, Bolzer said in the citys release. On behalf of the Brookings Fire Department, I want to thank our mutual aid partners and the community members for their support.
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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