On Friday October 31, 2003 at 1253 hours the Millville and Roxana Volunteer Fire Companies along with the Sussex County Paramedics were dispatched to a reported working building fire at the Clarksville Parts Plus and Goodyear Tire Center, on Atlantic Ave.
First arriving units found a 1-story block commercial structure well involved with exposures on side 3 to a 1000 gallon propane tank and 2300 gallon fuel oil tanks. Several 2-1/2" hand lines were placed in service as well as foam lines to stop the stubborn blaze fueled by burning tires.
The tire center stored several hundred tires in the service bays as well as other vehicle repair equipment. Initial investigation by the Delaware State Fire Marshal's office suggests that the fire started when employees were removing a gas tank from a van in one of the service bays.
The estimated dollar loss is upward of $500,000 for property, equipment and inventory. Units from Bethany Beach, Frankford, Dagsboro, Selbyville and Rehoboth Beach assisted on scene. This is a non-hydrant area and water supply was accomplished with tanker operations and water shuttles. Fifty firefighters were on scene and the only injuries reported were workers of the business who suffered mild smoke inhalation.
