South Windsor, CT July, 11, 2024 — In the early hours of Thursday morning, a devastating fire broke out at Pete’s RV Center located on John Fitch Boulevard, leading to the destruction of four recreational vehicles (RVs) and causing damage to a fifth.
The South Windsor Fire Department responded promptly to a call received around 4:15 a.m. reporting a vehicle burning at the back of the dealership’s property. Fire Chief Kevin Cooney stated that police arrived on the scene first and discovered one RV fully engulfed in flames, which quickly spread to adjacent vehicles.
“Within about seven minutes of the initial report, the fire had spread to four RVs,” Chief Cooney explained. “In total, four trailers were completely destroyed, and a fifth sustained damage. The destroyed vehicles included two motor homes and two towable RVs.”
Firefighters faced significant challenges in extinguishing the blaze, not only from the fire’s intensity but also due to the hot weather conditions prevailing at the time. Despite these challenges, the firefighters managed to control the situation without any injuries.
“We are thankful that no firefighters were hurt during the operation,” Chief Cooney added. “Fortunately, the business was closed when the fire started, which helped prevent any civilian injuries.”
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Pete’s RV Center has assured customers and the community that they are cooperating fully with authorities to determine the cause of the fire and prevent future incidents.
Pete’s RV Center remains committed to serving the community and ensuring the safety of its customers and staff. Updates regarding the investigation and any potential impacts on operations will be provided as more information becomes available.
About Pete’s RV Center
Pete’s RV Center, located on John Fitch Boulevard in South Windsor, is a leading dealership offering a wide range of new and pre-owned RVs, parts, and services. With a commitment to customer satisfaction and quality service, Pete’s RV Center is a trusted name in the RV community.
In the event of a fire such as the one that occurred at Pete’s RV Center, the role of a professional towing and recovery company is crucial. Here’s how a towing company would handle the recovery of the damaged RVs:
Towing Company’s Role in Recovering Fire-Damaged RVs
Assessment and Safety Precautions
- Initial Assessment: Upon arrival, the towing team would conduct a thorough assessment of the scene to determine the extent of the damage and the safest approach to recover the vehicles.
- Safety Measures: Ensuring the safety of all personnel is the top priority. The team would set up barriers and warning signs to secure the area and protect it from unauthorized access.
Recovery Process
- Equipment Deployment: The towing company would deploy specialized equipment, such as flatbed tow trucks and heavy-duty wreckers, to manage the recovery of the heavily damaged RVs.
- Vehicle Stabilization: Before moving the RVs, they would stabilize the vehicles to prevent further damage during the recovery process. This may include using winches, straps, and other stabilization tools.
Towing and Transport
- Safe Removal: Using the appropriate towing equipment, the team would carefully remove the damaged RVs from the lot. For heavily burned and unstable RVs, rotator wreckers may be used for precise lifting and placement onto tow trucks.
- Transport: The recovered RVs would be transported to a secure location, such as a storage yard or directly to a repair facility, depending on the instructions from the RV dealership and insurance companies.
Post-Recovery Procedures
- Site Cleanup: After the vehicles have been removed, the towing company would assist in cleaning up the debris and ensuring that the site is left in a safe and orderly condition.
- Documentation and Reporting: Detailed documentation of the recovery process, including photos and reports, would be provided to the RV dealership and insurance companies to assist in the claims process.
Expertise and Experience
- Professional Expertise: The towing company’s team of trained professionals would use their expertise to handle the complex logistics of recovering fire-damaged vehicles, ensuring minimal disruption to the business operations at Pete’s RV Center.