Fire Destroys Rare Aviation Literature

Almost 45 years’ worth of aerospace and aviation history was destroyed Sunday in an overnight fire that swept through a publishing company and three other businesses.

The Aero Publishing Co., one of the largest publishers of space and aviation literature in the world, lost hundreds of manuscripts, rare documents and a list of authors of such literature from around the world.

The fire, which was reported about 2:30 a.m., also destroyed the Bower Typesetters, Maurice Printers and Graphics Center businesses housed in the 15,000-square-foot building. Firefighters extinguished the blaze at 4 a.m.

The four companies combined suffered $1 million in damages.

“It was a devastating loss,” said Earnest Gentle, who purchased the Aero Publishing Co. 40 years ago and moved it from Los Angeles to Fallbrook 20 years ago this month.

“We had the largest and the best inventory of space and aviation literature in the world. Now it’s gone,” he said.

Officials believe the fire that destroyed Gentle’s collection of manuscripts and historical documents may have been started to cover up a burglary.

There was a window and a door left open, and one of the publishing company’s computers was reported missing Sunday night, officials said.

“It is definitely a suspicious fire,” said Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Conrad Grayson.

“There were so many flammable liquids, and vehicles and machines that used gasoline or oil in the building. This kind of fire is a nightmare for an arson investigator,” Grayson said.

The investigation will continue.