Fire destroyed a shop area at Sweet Home RV on Aug. 25.
Firefighters responded to the call to 4691 Main St. at 10:59 p.m to find the shop fully involved and about to break through to the attached store, which was full of smoke.
The fire started in the shop area, said firefighter Josh Bondesen, who investigated the fire. The first-in crews were able to knock down the fire and stopped the extension into the store and rear storage areas.
The cause is officially undetermined, Bondesen said, but the probable cause was sparks from a grinder. Losses are estimated at $350,000, he said.
Lebanon Fire Department assisted. The two departments brought 11 pieces of apparatus, and about 40 firefighters responded.
Sweet Home RV is owned by Clarence and Mary Mansfield. The business was founded in the 1970s, and they purchased it in 1991.
They are busy recording inventory and equipment so they can submit a complete list to their insurance company, Mary Mansfield said.
“The adjustor’s been a big help getting us going again.”
They will try to reopen as soon as they can, she said. “We would like to have the ability to sell parts and propane, at least.”
The Mansfields are looking at options, such as a trailer on site or another property where they can sell parts and propane, Mansfield said. It’s such an important part of their business, they need to get it going as quickly as they can.
Ultimately, they’ll return to the same property.
“We’ll definitely get this property back in action,” she said. “It’s our place. It’s our business.”
The goal right now is for the insurance company to figure out what’s necessary to rebuild the business, so they can develop a timeline.
“It’s pretty trying right now,” Mansfield said. “A lot of details and a lot of homework to protect ourselves, to be sure we have everything included.”
Insurance coverage has gaps, she said. Without the store, the Mansfields won’t have an income. A gofundme.com page has been set up to assist, and an account will be set up at a local bank. That information will be available later.
The Sweet Home RV website, sweet homervcenter, is functional, Mansfield said, and she urges customers to use it. At the store, the dump station is still functional. So is storage, and they have RVs for sale there.
“Thanks to the fire department, the Police Department, our friends, family, members and customers, who have popped in to give us hugs and reassure us,” Mansfield said. “We really appreciate all that.”