Pike Twp. fire crews requested the help of multiple area fire departments, including a 5,000-gallon water tank from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Hazmat crews from Springfield also responded because of oil drums in the buildings.
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Flames could be seen from Ohio 41, Pike Twp. Fire Chief Gerry Donnelly said on Sunday. This fire was the worst one the township has seen in the past decade, he said.
RC Enterprises owner Randall Bishop said being awakened Sunday morning was a shock. His first thought was to save a motor home trapped between the two burning buildings.
“Yes, I did run out of the house in my boxer shorts. Yes, the keys were in the motor home. Yes, I did save the motor home,” Bishop said.
He next tried to save his computer server that contained customer information but said there was so much pressure, he had to turn around and walk away because he was afraid there was going to explode in the building.
As he watched his business burn, Bishop said all he could do was pray.
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“Safety for people. We just prayed for safety that none of the responders would get hurt because of the oil products, chemicals things that could blow up,” Bishop said.
As the auto business burned, the surrounding community came to aid.
“We were very humbled by the outpouring of support from the community. Equipment started showing up. People showed up … it was just very, very amazing to see God working and orchestrating safety and people,” Bishop said.
Almost 24 hours after RC Enterprises burned, people were still showing up Monday to offer their condolences, words of support and help.
“Just to check on them and let them know we are praying for them,” said Keri Frasco, an RC Enterprises customer.
The two buildings that burned are a complete loss.
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“I mean there is no personal tools left, there is no equipment left. All of our high-end technology is gone, our inventory is gone,” Bishop said.
However, they are already rebuilding.
“A cleanup crew is going right now because of hundreds of thousands of gallons of water that was put on the place,” Bishop said. “Naturally, that water has to go someplace. So, it carried soot and burnt tires into our driveway. So a crew is cleaning our driveway to make sure there is no contamination.”
Spectrum was on site getting temporary phone lines up Monday. The shop manager was also getting new components for the business server.
“We’ve already contacted our accounting company. We’ve already downloaded the new program, our accounting is restored,” Bishop said. “We’ve been offered buildings already. We’ve been offered equipment. I mean we can walk into another building tomorrow if we so choose.”
Bishop says all this progress made in a short amount of time would not have been possible without his faith, family and friends.
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