Signal Hill : Fire Guts Auto Repair Shop, Damages 14 Vehicles
A fire gutted an automotive repair shop in Signal Hill earlier this week, damaging 14 cars at the business.
Investigators are unsure what caused the fire at Herb’s Automotive at 2750 Gundry Ave., but they believe it was accidental, said Fire Capt. Bob Moll. The fire was reported about 11:30 p.m. Monday, five hours after the last employee left the shop.
Originally, investigators suspected the fire was ignited by a cigarette tossed in a trash can, but they have since ruled that out, shop manager Lance Oldenburg said.
While fire officials sifted through the rubble of the 12,000-square-foot building, auto shop owners said they were planning to rebuild. “We’ll be open in about two months. We’re fighters,” Oldenburg said.
Damage to the building and the cars will far exceed the original loss estimate of $250,000, Oldenburg said.
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