Packard Forum Index » General

In a media release Wednesday, the staff at America's Packard Museum said they are "heartbroken by the vandalism and fire that occurred last night at our warehouse on Ome Avenue."

An investigation into the cause and scope of the damage is ongoing.

"We are attempting to come to grips with the enormity of the loss of irreplaceable vehicles and artifacts," the statement said. "The Harrison Township Fire Department went above and beyond any reasonable expectation in preserving a great number of valuable vehicles. Our gratitude for their hard work and professionalism is unbounded. The outpouring of support we have already received, both emotional and by way of volunteered time and resources is sincerely appreciated."

The museum is continuing normal operating hours of noon to 5 p.m. weekdays, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- See more at:whio.com/news/news/local/crews-on-scene- ... son-twp/npP4R/#sthash.XIlwRMAa.dpuf

What a shame. I'm guessing by the description of the fire that the building didn't have a (working) sprinkler system. That's inexcusable in a building housing this kind of history.

If it was set by vandals, I hope they are quickly apprehended and charged with aggravated arson (a first- degree felony in Ohio).

Very sorry to hear this. It really hurts those of us that love the car hobby to see this especially if it's arson.

The article in their local paper said numerous cars were destroyed. Agree about the sprinklers but from the description it apparently was one of several inter-connected old buildings and chock full of cars and stuff. No utilities were connected in any of the buildings according to the article.

Only showed one car hauled out of the building so would be interesting to know what was destroyed. The only one visible was a V8 but from the looks of the roof it might have been cut up so maybe a parts car.

Hi

Another terrible loss, its happened again and again.

Practicality dictates storage in warehouse concentrations but fire then can destroy multiple cars and artifacts all at once. In this era of digital sensors linked to emergency services for every conceivable purpose, one would hope museum storage would be so equipped. Sprinklers could have saved many from extensive damage.

Has anyone seen the inventory of what was lost?

Steve

Has there been any new info about the cars that were saved and lost in the fire?

It's curious, given his involvement with the museum, that West Peterson hasn't posted on this event.

Eric B, who used to post on this forum as "Turbopackman" reported on Facebook that the '56 Patrician seen in the photos was his former car, evidently they (Packard Museum folks) had cut the roof off just behind the windshield, doing lord knows what with it. He seemed rather upset that they didn't restore it as they said they would at the time of purchase.

I know nothing, yet. Will go down there today and see if I can get any information.

I have a hard time believing an insurance company would knowingly accept a policy on a non-sprinkler warehouse.