On July 19, 2005, at approximately 3:30 pm, fire department dispatchers were notified of a possible building fire at 1958 Wooddale Court.
The building was a single story large metal warehouse and was privately owned. The building was used to house the owner's personal collection of antique automobiles. The owner also had amassed a large collection of older automotive parts and machinery tools that he used to maintain his assortment of cars. His collection ranged from a 1917 Model-T to a couple of wood frame Studebakers in all he had in the building, there were "5", very old and in museum condition autos.
When firefighters arrived the building was approximately 50 percent involved in fire and heavy smoke was apparent on all sides of the building.
The Baton Rouge Fire Department (BRFD) Incident Commander (IC) upon arriving on the scene and doing a size up of the fire ground initiated a call for a second alarm.
Firefighters making an interior attack were hampered by a second floor addition and multiple shelving built inside the structure to store auto parts.
With the possibility of the second floor and shelving collapsing and posing very unsafe interior firefighting, the order was given by the IC to pull firefighters out of the building.
Firefighting crews were then pulled out and a defensive attack was initiated as well as protecting nearby exposures.
The fire was put under control at approximately 7:30 pm, and crews remained on the scene until 10pm.
No injuries were reported and the fire loss was placed at approximately $500,000.
BRFD Fire Investigators called to the scene to determine the cause of the blaze, ruled the fire, undetermined and under investigation.
At this time there is no indication of foul play.
