By Kevin Purdy
A blaze that consumed more than 30 discarded vehicles at a Maryland Avenue junkyard kept five area fire companies at the scene throughout the early-morning hours.
While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, it appears a blowtorch used to steal catalytic converters from cars that same night is related to the blaze that broke out shortly before 3:30 a.m. — the second such fire at Garlock’s Auto Parts in less than three months.
“We’re still going through the cars that were burned,” said Thomas Swanson, an investigator with the local state police post. “The way things went with the fire, I’d guess that we’ll probably find at least one car that somebody tried to take a converter from ... but we’re still looking into it, and not going under any assumptions yet.”
Nobody was injured in the fire, which was first reported by two state troopers patrolling nearby. Swanson said owner Daniel Garlock, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday, estimated the cost of lost inventory at over $30,000.
Garlock’s, at 2360 Maryland Ave., experienced another fire on May 8, reportedly caused by a fuel line explosion on a compactor in the yard. That fire consumed more than 50 cars and other debris in the yard, sending a cloud of black smoke into the air that could be seen from miles away.
The junkyard had been notified at the time that it was not in compliance with the town’s operating codes, and the situation ended up in the Town Court on June 12. Garlock agreed to pay a $1,000 fine for a violation, and agreed to fix the issues raised by the town’s building inspector office.
After coming into compliance last week, the Niagara Town Council voted unanimously at Tuesday night’s meeting to approve the junkyard’s operating permit. Supervisor Steven Richards said the timing of Wednesday’s fire was a strange coincidence, but wouldn’t have any effect on the council’s action.
At the same time, the event will likely trigger another visit by town code enforcement officers, Richards said.
Catalytic converters, the part of a vehicle’s exhaust system that converts hazardous gas into carbon dioxide and water vapor, have become an increasingly popular target for thieves. That’s because the small amount platinum used in the converters is now trading for about $1,200 an ounce on the open market, making it a profitable item for scrap yard sales.
Nobody was injured during the fire, and smoke did not reach any nearby businesses or homes. Firefighters from Niagara Active Hose, Lewiston Fire Company No. 2, Upper Mountain Fire Company, and the Frontier and Bergholz volunteer companies responded to the scene, along with state and Town of Niagara police.
Contact Kevin Purdy at 282-2311, Ext. 2251.
Women rescued from smoking house
About two hours before being called to a roaring fire at Garlock’s, Town of Niagara police and firefighters helped two women out of a Third Avenue home that was filled with smoke.
A report of smoke escaping from the house at 8009 Third Ave. came in shortly before 1:30 a.m., according to Town of Niagara police reports. Upon arrival, firefighters with Niagara Active Hose found heavy smoke inside, but no visible signs of fire.
Carmella Tedesco, 85, and Michelle, 63, were treated for minor smoke inhalation at the scene by Rural/Metro Medical Services. Investigators found that a candle left unattended inside was the cause of the smoke. A report listed the estimated damage to belongings inside the house at about $10,000.
