Fire destroys mechanic's shop
Fund set up for family
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

Fire destroys business Firefighters battle the blaze Saturday at Dave Bordner's mechanic shop on SR 75, south of Cutler. His shop was a total loss. Several area fire departments provided assistance to the Democrat Township Volunteer Fire Department. Photo provided

Friends and neighbors of Dave and Wendy Bordner have set up a fund for them at Salin Bank & Trust, following a fire on their property last Saturday.

Contributions to the Bordner Fire Fund can be made at any Salin branch.

A 5,000 sq. ft. pole building, housing Bordner's mechanic's shop, was completely destroyed, according to Democrat Township VFD fire chief Jay Bordner.

The fire chief said his department received the fire call at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. He said the building was fully engulfed with flames when firefighters arrived at the scene, 6559 S. State Road 75, Cutler, six minutes after the call.

He said his department received assistance from Flora, Burlington, Camden, Delphi, and Rossville departments, with a total of 60 firefighters battling the blaze. He added that 45,000 gallons of water was used in the effort.

According to the fire chief, Dave Bordner and some passersby had gone into the building and saved his computer, current records, and checkbook.

Wendy Bordner's beauty salon was in one end of the building.

"Firefighters were able to save most of the shop office contents and beauty shop contents," Jay Bordner said. He said most of Bordner's tools are a total loss, but an antique tractor he had in the shop might be able to be restored. He added that the salon sustained mostly smoke and water damage.

The fire chief said Bordner's business was working on semi's, but there were no semi's in the building at the time of the fire.

He further explained that there were storage tanks in the building containing used motor oil for Bordner's waste oil furnace. These burst open in the fire, creating an oil-based run-off.

Bordner said a dike was built to keep this run-off from getting into the field tile and well. Then the oily water was pumped into the shop's open pit to secure it.

Bordner said the cause of the fire is still under investigation, but it appears to have started near the center of the shop area.

"The fire was accidental; any intentional acts have been ruled out," he said.

He stated that the 911 dispatch received three or four calls from passersby, reporting the fire.

"Our department was on the scene for six hours," he added.

Neighbors say the fire fund was started to temporarily help the family with living expenses.