Affolder service complex destroyed by fire

Authored by Jim Langham on Dec 21, 2011
Affolder service complex destroyed by fire

Firefighters from the Berne Fire Department were on the scene of a large blaze on the south end of town on Monday evening. Firemen arrived at Affolder Service and Sales, Inc. at 9:04 p.m. on Monday to find the entire service complex and half of the parts department engulfed in flames.
For the next several hours, 27 firefighters from the Berne Department and mutual aid from Geneva, Monroe and Preble fought the stubborn blaze. It was shortly after 4 a.m., said Berne Fire Chief Bill Grimm, when Berne firemen were able to leave the site behind.
"Berne policeman Earl Hough arrived at the scene after an alarm went off there," said Grimm. "He found the service complex completely engulfed in flames and immediately called in the fire."
There were reports of the fire being seen from many miles out into the country. Several from the surrounding area as far away as Geneva reported hearing what sounded like explosions when the fire first started.
Business owner Greg Milholland said that the fire destroyed the service complex and half of the parts department.
"They feel that it started in the southwest corner of the complex. That's where the hot spot seemed to be," said Milholland. "The sales office and showroom and the other half of the parts department were spared because of a fire wall. In fact, once we get the smoke smell out, we hope to reopen in a few days for sales and parts.
"We are going to rebuild to the service area immediately," continued Milholland. "This is a major inconvenience but it's not going to stop us from running our full business. We'll have everything up and going again as soon as we can."
Milholland said that he learned of the fire through a call from his son, whose friend's father had heard the fire on the scanner.
"We live in Decatur so we had to drive down here," said Milholland. "We didn't see anything that much until we reached the park and then we saw it. When we saw it, I really knew that we were in trouble."
Word of the fire had quickly spread. Milholland said that when they arrived, there were vehicles all up and down the driveway and across the street.
"When we walked over, I could see that the firemen were working really hard to contain the flames to the engulfed area," Milholland said. "I can't say enough about the professional work of the firemen on the scene. They did a wonderful job."
Milholland has been partial owner of the business since 1976, when he originally shared its ownership with Harry Dubach. Gradually, as shares sold, Milholland would purchase them and keep purchasing more and more of the business.
"People from this community have been phenomenal in reaching out," said Milholland. "They brought food last night and they served breakfast to everyone this morning. It was amazing how much volunteer help and how much food has been brought to the scene. This town and its generous way of reaching out is amazing."

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