Disaster Recovery News

Image from the Town of Ashland website

Rapid Refile completed an office fire project for the Town of Ashland, New York after a fire devastated the building on January 10, 2010. The electrical fire started in a supervisor’s office and spread through the rest of the building. The offices were located in a relatively new steel, stand-alone structure.

The fire created an oven-effect and trapped the local emergency response vehicles inside and the steel structure. Neighboring fire departments aided the firefight, which lasted hours. The building suffered intense fire, smoke and soot damage. Although the vital statistics and hospital records were safe because they were stored in a fireproof room, critical emergency response documents (like EMT logs), court files, fire department records, deeds, mortgages, photos and other important documents suffered damage because of the fire. Rapid Refile was able to salvage and restore at least 98% of the fire and water-damaged documents.

Business continuity plans included relocating government offices to a temporary location, and the fire department fellow department’s vehicles.

Read more about the Town of Ashland’s devastating fire. ­­

Photo by javacolleen

Four businesses in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle are recovering from damage caused by fire and smoke on the 23^rd of the month. These businesses include Green Bean Coffee House, Szechuan Bistro, C.C. Teriyaki and Pho Tic Tac. Nearby businesses suffered extensive damage from the nearby smoke and water from the rescue effort. Firefighters also took extra precautions and evacuated a nearby apartment complex.

The Green Bean Coffee House is a business that many are mourning. It is a nonprofit business owned by the Sanctuary Church, which holds services in the nearby Taproot Theater. The Green Bean was described to be inviting, comfortable and welcoming-so comfy that customers would often fall asleep in one of the big easy chairs provided. The church had to relocate its Sunday service due to the extensive water damage it suffered and damages intentionally caused to the building to keep the fire from spreading. However, fire crews tried to protect as much as they could in the offices of the Taproot by placing tarps over desks and electronic equipment. The Taproot, which also services as a community theater house, will hold some if its future performances at the Seattle Children’s Theater.

More on this story.

Are You Prepared? Is Your Business Prepared?

What would you do if your business went up in flames? Are you ready for an early morning call that tells you something is horribly wrong at the place that brings income to your family and the families of others? Fire restoration services can help pick up the pieces flames leave behind.

Many aren’t prepared. Learn how to make a business disaster plan before you wish you had.

Image by StarrGaz CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

A fish warehouse-World Seafood Processing–in South Boston was destroyed by a fire that broke-out on Saturday. Other businesses affected include a seafood restaurant, small office, and store.

It is estimated the damages amount to $2-million or more. The four-alarm fire took about 3 hours and 120 firefighters to extinguish. The cause of the fire is still not known. Nobody was severely injured.

The owners of the building were in their office when they awoke to a loud noise and the smell of smoke. Realizing the situation called for professional help, the owners called 9-1-1. Some think the building will have to be torn down. The owners are now seeking a temporary location in which to do their work so they can continue their business with as little interruption as possible.

Business continuity is a big deal for a small business. The owners of the World Seafood Processing are rolling with the punches as they begin the recovery process.

More on this story.

Fire damage can be prevented, but all small businesses should have a recovery plan in the case of a fire so not all is lost if a fire breaks out. Learn more about small business fire damage recovery plans.

Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/tracylee/ / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0