(Photo: Velotech Inc.)
Linda Watts is the marketing manager for BikeTiresDirect.com, the company whose headquarters in Northeast Portland fell victim to a large fire late Saturday night.
BikeTiresDirect is primarily an Internet mail-order business, but they also had a retail store that was frequented by local customers.
Ms. Watts drove out to their warehouse at NE 92nd and Colfax last night to survey the extensive damage.
She says the fire apparently started around 11:30pm Saturday at the back (east) end of the warehouse and moved forward toward the storefront. Luckily, she says, “the store and the marketing office seem to have been untouched.”
According to Watts, arson officials have still not been able to get into the building due to hotspots and the instability of interior walls. They are expected to begin their investigation today and Watts says they’ll know more about the cause of the fire in the “next couple of days.”
As for the future of BikeTiresDirect.com, Watts is optimistic; “The owners are committed to continuing with the business and rebuilding. We will be meeting to discuss what steps we need to take to make that happen.”
Fortunately, not all the company’s product stock has been lost. Some product remains at another warehouse. But even so, Watts says all orders have been suspended for the time being and they plan to search for a new warehouse in the coming week.
In the end, although the fire caused extensive damage, Watts is thankful no one was injured. She’s also grateful for the work of the Portland Fire Department (reports said 80-100 firefighters were on the scene) and for their customers, whom she thanks for “their understanding and support.”