By Charly Edsitty
An early morning fire that was sparked by unattended candles completely destroyed a boat and RV storage facility in north Houston.
SkyEye video shows the aftermath of the massive fire at A-Safe-T Storage, which is a total loss. Officials said the fire first started at 5:15 a.m. Wednesday, last week. Several boats, RVs, and even a classic car went up in flames.
Thankfully, nobody was hurt, but thousands of dollars were lost.
“The candle was on top of a wooden dresser. The dresser caught on fire first, and once that caught on fire, anything that’s flammable,” District Chief Roland Silva with the Northwest Volunteer Fire Department said. “It was right next to an old converted school bus that was like their shop, a makeshift shop for them.”
Silva said two brothers renting the space to work were using the candles to light up a dark area.
“There’s no light back there, no connection. CenterPoint even called out, and there’s no power back there so I guess they only had candles. No iPhones or flashlights or anything,” Silva said.
The flames reportedly spread quickly. “It sounds like they might have tried to put it out before they actually called us,” Silva said.
Four fire departments, in addition to Northwest Fire, responded to battle the flames. Officials said a neighboring commercial glass company also had damage to two work trucks.
ABC13 reporter Charly Edsitty spoke with someone on the phone from A-Safe-T Storage. They did not want to comment on the incident.
The incident is a reminder to all storage property owners to make sure they have updated all insurance policies. “Every RV & boat storage facility must develop a Risk Management Assessment and Plan. If not, this high-income asset is at the whelm of every weather-related event and incidences of theft,” explains Terry Anderson, President and CEO of Tenant Property Protection, providers of insurance products and services specific to self-storage, RV and boat storage.
“Owner/operator negligence in preparing for the risk of winds, fires and burglary has led to the rising cost of Property & Casualty insurance rates,” Anderson continues. “A Risk Management Assessment and Plan is a way to save profits and costs when faced with potential losses. Every good general business property and casualty agency in the storage industry should have a resource available to meet this need.”
RV & boat storage facility must develop a Risk Management Assessment and Plan. If not, this high-income asset is at the whelm of every weather-related event and incidences of theft,” explains Terry Anderson, President and CEO of Tenant Property Protection, providers of insurance products and services specific to self-storage, RV and boat storage.
“Owner/operator negligence in preparing for the risk of winds, fires and burglary has led to the rising cost of Property & Casualty insurance rates,” Anderson continues. “A Risk Management Assessment and Plan is a way to save profits and costs when faced with potential losses. Every good general business property and casualty agency in the storage industry should have a resource available to meet this need.”
By Charly Edsitty
