Incendiary fire destroys aircraft hangar

NFPA Journal, May/Jun 2002 by Tremblay, Kenneth J

firewatch

STORAGE

CALIFORNIA

A fire intentionally set using aviation fuel heavily damaged an airplane repair and storage facility. Flames quickly consumed the building, and firefighters had to forgo an offensive attack due to the size of the fire.

The steel-frame, single-story building had metal siding and a metal roof. It measured 100 feet by 100 feet (30 meters by 30 meters) and contained a 15-by-- 15-foot (4.5-by-4.5-meter) wooden office. It had no fire detection or sprinkler system. The building was closed for the night when the fire broke out.

A passerby called 911 at 4:54 a.m., and firefighters arrived within five minutes to set up a defensive attack in an effort to protect exposures.

Investigators believe an arsonist broke into the building and poured 15 gallons (57 liters) of aviation fuel inside the office. The arsonist then ignited the fuel with some sort of open-flame device, and the resulting fire quickly engulfed the building.

The hangar, valued at $300,000, was a total loss. Damage to the $1.8 million contents, which included nine aircraft, was estimated at $1.7 million. There were no injuries.