Bernie Gage Plumbing & Heating On Fire In St. Albans

[Henry]

Tony Boccio Photo from the Free Press

Crews are at the scene of a large structure fire in the City of St. Albans, Vermont

The fire broke out just before 5 a.m. Tuesday at Bernie Gage Plumbing & Heating on Stebbins Street.

Traffic is being re-routed away from Main Street so crews can work.

Officials want you to avoid Main Street between Fairfield and Weldon Streets due to the large fire.

BFA is closed for the day, because of the fire.

For more photos and updates click on the following link:

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20091124/NEWS02/91124014/Fire-destroys-business-in-St.-Albans

[Henry]

There are more photos on the WPTZ web site which give you a really good view of the location:

http://www.wptz.com/slideshow/news/21709171/detail.html

[HayesFXFD17]

Fairfax Fire was on standby this morning from about 6:20am until around 9:00am coving the towns of Milton and Georgia plus our own while they were assisting at the fire.

[special ED]

looks like his work  caught up with him

[David Shea]

I have had the chance to meet Bernie in the past.  He is always on the go.

He has provided a valuable service to Franklin County for many years.  He employs several people, collects sales & use tax, pays income & property tax, buys good, vehicles and services from local vendors.

I wish him all of the best in his efforts to rebuild his business.

Dave

[Chris Santee]

STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
FIRE INVESTIGATION UNIT
VERMONT STATE POLICE
PRESS RELEASE

INCIDENT: Bernie Gauge Plumbing and Heating St. Albans Fire

TROOPER:  Detective Sergeant Jeremy Hill
STATION: St. Albans
CONTACT#: 524-5993

DATE/TIME: 11/24/09 at approx. 0445 hrs
LOCATION (specific):
Bernie Gauge Plumbing and Heating
Corner of Catherine and Stebbins Street in St. Albans
VICTIM: Bernie Gauge Plumbing and Heating

SUMMARY OF INCIDENT:
On 11/24/09 at approx. 0445 hrs. the St. Albans City Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at Bernie Gauge Plumbing and Heating in St. Albans.  When the ZFire Department arrived a large portion of the building was fully engulfed in flames.  Fire Departments from St. Albans Town, Swanton, Georgia and Milton were called to assist with supression efforts.  The building is a total loss. 

The Vermont State Police were contacted by St. Albans City Police Department to assist with an origin and cause investigation.  Fire investigators from the Vermont State Police and the Division of Fire and Safety responded to the scene.  The cause of the fire is undetermined but is not suspicious.

Estimated damage is approximately $500,000.00. 

[Kathleen]

Wednesday morning they still have some of Stebbins Street closed off; cannot drive straight down the entire road.

I work for Customs in the Federal Building at S. Main and Stebbins and I was given yesterday off from work because of health issues with the air quality from the fire and the fact that they turned off all the power for the entire block so that elevators weren't working in my building.  Other employees were sent up to the port of Highgate until the power was turned back on.

[7F24]

I have to wonder what the outcome would have been if St Albans hadn't done away with most of their fire department.

[PotterFXFD]

 From the looks of the pictures, building and account of first on scene. the building was gone before a alarm was sounded. GREAT JOB saving the surrounding buildings.

[NorthFairfaxBoy]

I have to wonder what the outcome would have been if St Albans hadn't done away with most of their fire department.

I was wondering the same thing.

[tankkingvt]

Thought Ed ought to know the fire was not suspisious, www.wcax.com   happy thanksgiving everyone

[special ED]

I didnt think it was suspisous I just said anybody that pipes an oil tank with a trap in the fill pipe ,sooner or later its gonna catch up with you,,,, the tank is to the right:

[David Shea]

Rule Number One in Business

Never speak ill of your competition

Rule number Two

Follow rule number 1

[special ED]

your right dave I shouldnt he gives me alot of repair work

[special ED]

DAVE I was thinking about your rule for business,  I  have too disagree ....treat your customer the way you would want to be treated should be first priority,with me it`s personal and if I do not call you back there`s a good reason behind it