Document text
98 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, August 14, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend August 13, 2004 Dutch Bros. fire investigation comes up empty By JACK MORAN Mail Tribune GRANTS PASS — A five-day investigation into the fire that destroyed a warehouse containing thousands of pounds of Dutch Bros. coffee beans has yielded no clear conclusion, other than the blaze started in a Dumpster next to the building. Investigators have completed their probe into Sunday night’s fire and confirmed initial suspicions that it sparked in a trash-filled Dumpster, said Kent Romney of the Rural/Metro Fire Department. But whether the blaze was intentionally set is not known. Investigators have officially listed the cause of the fire as "undetermined," Romney said. "Investigators looked at a number of possibilities ... but were unable to determine the actual cause of the fire," he said. "I wish we had a definite conclusion, but we don’t." Romney said investigators figure the fire could have been a result of arson, spontaneous combustion or an accident. Advertisement Dutch Bros. co-owner Dane Boersma said he does not want to assume the fire was started by arsonists. "I was hoping to get more out of (the investigation)," Boersma said. "I don’t want to blame anybody for (starting the fire), because I’m not sure what happened." Boersma said the fire, which resulted in an estimated $1.5 million loss, was "a complete disaster." "I was just devastated by it," he said. "It just got so hot, so fast." According to investigators, heat from burning trash in the Dumpster ignited a stack of vehicle tires inside the warehouse. Flames then spread through the rest of the building at 3325 Upper River Road. Boersma said his father went to the warehouse Sunday evening and phoned 9-1-1 when he noticed flames coming from the Dumpster. The elder Boersma "looked for a hose" but was unable to prevent flames from destroying the building and its contents, Dane Boersma said. Sixty-three firefighters from 11 Rogue Valley agencies fought the blaze. Two firefighters who were struck by falling debris were treated and released at Three Rivers Community Hospital. Four other firefighters were treated for heat-related problems. Besides coffee beans, five vehicles were destroyed in the fire, along with roasting equipment. Earlier this week, co-owner Travis Boersma got in touch with Boyd Coffee Co. in Portland to arrange for Boyd to roast Dutch Bros.’ special blend of beans. The Grants Pass-based chain owns or franchises 53 coffee shops and stands in Oregon and Northern California. Reach reporter Jack Moran at 776-4459, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities