Safety Devices Minimize Gulfport, Mississippi Store's Fire
Fire safety devices in the building at 2001 East Pass Road minimized damage and allowed firefighters time to get inside to extinguish the fire before it could cause major loss or damage. The building has heavy smoke damage in the back, but no structural damage.
Firefighters are accustomed to responding to false alarms. That appeared to be the case when they responded to the alarm at 2:24 a.m.
"We were checking all around the building, looking through the front window and saw no sign of a fire," Sullivan said. "We laddered up to the roof and one of our guys noticed what appeared to be steam or smoke coming out of a vent."
The building's sprinkler system activated before firefighters forced their way inside.
Sullivan said the fire apparently started in the carpentry shop in the back of the store. The cause is under investigation, but appears to be accidental, possibly caused by an electrical problem, he said.
The store's carpenter uses the shop area for various jobs, to include making minor repairs on items donated for resale, said Jim Feldmeyer, store manager. Later Wednesday, the carpenter, Ed Davis, repaired doors firefighters kicked in to fight the fire.
The store opened at 7:30 a.m., its usual time, with only a faint odor of smoke noticeable in the back, said Feldmeyer.
"It could have been really bad. The big guy upstairs was looking out for us."
The Thrift Store is privately owned but supports the Homes of Grace, a church-based rehabilitation program for drug and alcohol recovery.