Investigators probe cause of Perth store fire
By KERRY McAVOY, The Leader-Herald
POSTED: March 22, 2008
Article Photos
The House of Furniture, at 4179 Route 30, was a total loss after the blaze ripped through it Thursday. A few piles of burnt wood were all that remained of the store Friday.
Polmateer said the cost of the damage hadn’t yet been tallied.
“We’re still working with the insurance company for an exact cause,” Polmateer said. “It appears to have started in the basement.”
Owner Donald Kaupelis said Friday it was too early to tell if he will rebuild the store or if he will retain its employees.
“The question is can it be done,” he said Friday. “But [we’re leaning toward] yes. It’s only been a little over 24 hours since it all happened.”
Polmateer said the fire was noticed by an employee around 4:20 p.m. Thursday. The employee noticed smoke in the store and notified emergency services. The store was still open and customers were present when the fire broke out.
Kaupelis was not present at the time of the fire but has been in contact with employees who were.
No one was injured in the blaze. Kaupelis said company and customer records were lost in the fire.
He said customers awaiting deliveries may call the store at 843-3391 so he can get information on their purchases.
“Records were destroyed, and we can’t know any current transactions that are happening at the current time,” he said.
Polmateer said no surrounding buildings were damaged by the fire.
“They may have gotten some smoke, but no fire damage occurred,” he said.
Fantasy Island, an adult novelties store located next to the House of Furniture, was open for business Friday. The store’s day manager said the smoke was starting to rise when he left around 4:30 p.m. Thursday. The manager, who didn’t want to give his name, said it was shocking to come to work Friday and see the building completely gone.
“If I had been here when it happened and had seen such a large fire next to this little building, I would be concerned,” he said.
Glenn Shaffer, who manages a Stewart’s Shop across the street, said the fire seemed to start in the basement. Once the high winds caught the flames, he said, they spread up the building.
Polmateer said one lane of traffic
remained open as fire departments battled the blaze during the busy rush hour Thursday. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Department helped direct traffic, which was rerouted around the blaze.
The Perth, Broadalbin and Hagaman volunteer fire departments combined forces to put out the fire. By 6:30 p.m. Thursday, a little more than two hours after the fire was first noticed, the blaze was out and the building was destroyed.
The building was insured through Peerless Insurance, and Kaupelis said he has been in contact with the company since the fire. The company will work with the county to discover the cause of the fire.
Polmateer said he has heard the family is taking the loss of the store very hard.
“It might take a couple days for them to come around,” Polmateer said. “It’s devastating for the family. They’ve been in business for 30 to 35 years.”
Kaupelis said his family trying to take the loss in stride.
“I’ve done this for a long time, and I enjoy it,” he said.
The family has been in business since 1962. Kaupelis said he has worked for 30 years at the House of Furniture.
“I really want to thank the community and the incredible outpouring of support from everyone,” Kaupelis said.
Kerry McAvoy covers Montgomery County news. She can be reached by e-mail at montco@leaderherald.com.
Richard Neilsen contributed to this report.
