Fire causes major damage to bike parts retailer
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on August 3rd, 2008 at 11:48 am
An early morning fire has completely gutted a bike shop Northeast Portland.
BikeTiresDirect.com is a mail-order shop and retailer based near the Portland Airport at NE 92nd and Colfax.
Reader Chuck Bridge says he passed by this morning and said, “it looks like the whole warehouse has been gutted.”
“It sucks for me personally too,” he added, “because I shop there, and they were interested in sponsoring our team.”. (Bridge is a member of TeamZoobomb).
More coverage at KGW, OregonLive, KATU, and others.
BikeTiresDirect.com is also a BikePortland.org advertiser. We wish them a speedy recovery.
[Note: Story posted remotely from my phone. If someone could include links to other coverage that would be appreciated. Thanks.]
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August 3rd, 2008 12:08
I spoke with a firefighter, and the damage is extensive. The roof is completely gone, and one of the walls is in danger of collapsing. They're shoring it up, then the fire marshal will begin investigating. Apparently there were 80-100 firefighters there battling the 3 alarm fire, which was still active at 8 when a co-worker came in, and it took over an hour for them to even locate the fire due to smoke.
http://www.kptv.com/news/17079883/detail.html
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_080308_news_3_alarm_fire.e7223da.html
http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2008/08/ne_portland_fire_guts_specialt.html
I will snap some pictures on my way out of work today, and forward them to you Jonathan. I really feel bad for everyone that works there. They all have been super nice to me every time I come in, and they had a pretty bitchin' clearance/2nds rack full discounted merchandise. here's hoping they can get back to business sometime soon, although it's going to suck to not having them right down the road from where I work. They've saved my butt many a time with new tubes and tires. you wouldn't believe the crap that's in the road out here. talk about a dangerous commute.
August 3rd, 2008 12:48
Tire fires are a PITA for the FD. The amount of smoke is incredible and it's pretty nasty stuff. And the fire is hard to extinguish.
After you think you have it out you have to rake through all the burnt material and kill any hot spots or the fire can reignite.
I hope they are able to get back up and running quickly.
August 3rd, 2008 15:20
Another link
Reports of CO2 cartridges in the blaze. That's as bad as dealing with live ammo.
August 3rd, 2008 15:20
Link didn't copy
http://www.katu.com/news/local/26223069.html
August 3rd, 2008 17:47
This is very sad.
These boys (and their business) are not only friends of mine, but long standing Friends and Supporters of our local messenger culture.
Let's hope this blow to their business can be overcome quickly.
August 3rd, 2008 20:23
Thank you Jonathan for the write up. And thank you Chuck and others for the response. The owners and management of BikeTiresDirect.com are determined to keep the business going, even after this tragedy. We will keep all informed as to when we will be back up and running.
Linda Watts
Marketing Mgr.
Velotech, Inc.
August 3rd, 2008 22:34
Linda and Crew...
You're in my prayers... Hope you folks can get back in order quickly...
God Bless
August 3rd, 2008 22:41
Soon as you guys get back in action, I'm ordering up some some SweetSkinz for the wife's ride.
That's a promise.
Good luck!
August 4th, 2008 02:16
Thanks for all the well wishes you guys. We REALLY appreciate it and hope to be back in business as soon as possible.
KTesh- passing on your well wishes to Linda ASAP. Thanks again.
Kate
Velotech
BTD / WBW
August 4th, 2008 07:48
yeah, this is pretty crazy. I'm good friends with these guys and a customer, too. A bunch of them were over here last night and everyone is pretty bummed about it.
get back in business soon!
my buddy lost his Merckx in that fire! :(
August 4th, 2008 08:33
***Comment deleted for inappropriate content***
[Editor: Myra, I'm sort of losing patience here. I have better things to do than edit and moderate all your comments. Again, please understand you are not free to write whatever you'd like on this site. Your hateful tone is not constructive and will not be tolerated here. Thanks. -- Jonathan Maus]
August 4th, 2008 09:19
Hope they're back up and running soon, I need a new set of GP4000's! They're a nice little shop and I've always gotten great service and great deals from them. Good luck!
August 4th, 2008 10:20
Your friends in Wisconsin wish you all the luck in getting back up and running.
My orders will be waiting......
August 6th, 2008 06:05
I hope all of the employees are ok too.
August 10th, 2008 00:58
Yeah, we are all fine, thank you! Luckily nobody was there at the time