Battery Junction Fire

[Henk_Lu]

I often think about fire and hope it'll never struck my home. You always think it can't happen to you, but if you have a closer look, you see a lot of (old and/or cheap) electrical stuff plugged in as potential dangers, you read stories about batteries venting and exploding and so on.

It is good to check insurance contracts from time to time, most people get them and never have a look at them anymore, if they need them 20 years later, not half of the damage will be covered...

As it seems, you did everything right Matt, damages will be minimzed, nobody got hurt and you're heading forward instead of thinking of the past. That's the way, we're behind you! My D10 tribute was sent out the day before and there's another one which should be here each day, I won't forget about batteryjunction that way!

Heads up and cheers to you and your staff!!! :wave:

 

[sqchram]

Phew, and I placed an order that shipped out right then!

It shipped so fast, its still smoking!! 😀

 

[silvertorch]

I too am glad no one was hurt. I appreciate a reputable site such as batteryjunction.com.

 

[adnj]

I hope that everything is well.

 

[AlphaZen]

Matt, you really seem to be looking at the proverbial silver lining, which is great. I am sorry to hear about the fire and I will certainly place an order when you re-open business. You have served me well in the past and Battery Junction actually provided me with my first "flashoholic" order. I wish you well.

 

[Patriot]

Thanks for the update Matt. It sounds like you've got a game plan and are working diligently. I'm glad that you anticipate being back up and running again soon and that you have such great staff.

Good luck in your efforts! 🙂

 

[goldenlight]

Carp! I had a flashlight packed and ready to ship on Wednesday, but it got damaged in the fire, Tuesday night.

To add insult to injury, I received an E-mail late on TUESDAY AFTERNOON, which said that the light HAD BEEN SHIPPED, and it gave me the USPS DC number, which BJ called the 'tracking information':

A shipment has been made on your order #1661XX. Tracking information is below. Thank you for your order!

The following item/s have been shipped.
Quantity: 1 Nitecore D10 TRIBUTE EDITION LED Flashlight Smart PD Piston Drive, R2 , 145 Lumens 1 X AA
Date Shipped: 2/16/2010
Service Used: USPS
Tracking Link: 91018052139072654561XX

Why would they send me an E-mail, stating that it HAD BEEN SHIPPED, when, in fact, it had NOT BEEN SHIPPED? 😕 :thumbsdow :sick2:

I certainly don't consider this kind of 'disinformation', (to be polite....) to be GOOD customer service AT ALL!!!

If the light HAD indeed been SHIPPED WHEN THE E-MAIL SAID IT WAS, IT WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN DAMAGED IN THE FIRE:scowl:

I wonder if I'll EVER get it, now. :shrug: :shakehead

 

[woodrow]

MattK, Jeff and the entire Batteryjunction team: I like all of us wish you the very best and hope for a speedy and as hassle free as possible, cleanup.

brad

 

[CARNAL1]

Matt, glad that no one was hurt. Hope that you have a fast recovery. I own my Fenix TK11 R2 thanks to BatteryJunction. Can't wait until you guys are back up and running. You have a loyal following here at CPF. Thanks for all of your hard work in the past. We're all pulling for you.

Sincerely,

CARNAL1

 

[BirdofPrey]

I think I've decided to hold off on ordering another light elsewhere and just buy the new Lumapower light from you guys when you get back up and running. Hopefully thats soon. Both for you AND for me as it will likely be my bicycle light.

 

[LUPARA]

Hang in there MattK & Co. and thanks for all you do:thumbsup:
Count on my support in the future😀

 

[ZMZ67]

Glad to hear everyone is alright and that you expect to recover.Battery Junction has always provided great products and customer service,not to mention the active participation in this forum.Best wishes on getting back up and running!

 

[KD5XB]

If we could get a Moderator or trusted member to set things up, I would be willing to donate some money to help them out.

Perhaps Battery Junction could put something on their web page -- so we could order $20 worth of "support" or "condolences" or similar.

 

[chef4850]

I also have a SF c2 centurion on order from Battery Junction and as I am some what dissapointed that it will probally be a while before I recieve it. I am happier knowing that everyone is ok and Battery Junction will be back up and running. A lot happier than I would recieving the light. So everyone hang in there and the lights will come!

Chef

 

[cloggy]

Order arrived today from Battery Junction- as always good value and great service. May I add my best wishes for a speedy return to business and a prosperous future.

 

[easilyled]

Wow this article says crews from SIX towns came to fight the fire.
And the fire reignited after they extinguished the fire!
Members of the Department of Environmental Protection were called to the scene to test the air quality. 😱
I wonder if it was a chemical burn.

heres the whole article:
"Fire Burns At Essex Battery Business
Crews From Multiple Towns Called To Fight Blaze

POSTED: 9:58 am EST February 17, 2010
ESSEX, Conn. -- Crews from multiple towns were called to fight a blaze at an Essex battery business Wednesday morning.

The fire broke out at the Battery Junction on Bokum Road at about 3:40 a.m., fire crews said. They said the fire reignited after crews extinguished the blaze.

Fire crews from Essex, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, Deep River, Westbrook and Clinton were called to the blaze. Firefighters said the building's sprinkler system assisted in the fire being quickly extinguished. They said flames were contained to a 20-by-20-foot space in the building.

There are three businesses in the building in which the fire broke out. Fire officials said the two other businesses would be able to open on Wednesday.

Members of the Department of Environmental Protection were called to the scene to test the air quality."

Unless someone was working at 3am it must have started by itself. I'm really curious about the details too.

Wow, thanks for reporting everything so thoroughly David.

 

[Apollo Cree]

When's the fire sale going to be?

😀

Actually, that might not be a bad idea to get the word out that you're back.

I hope he doesn't get screwed over by the insurance company. e.g. offer him a lowball settlement and refuse to pay anything unless he signs away his right to full payment, hoping he can't afford the time to fight for a full payment.

 

[Kestrel]

I can just see it now, an insurance adjuster looking at the itemized list and saying, "I can't believe that flashlights can cost so much!":thinking:
🙄

 

[Larbo]

So Matt did you find out what was the source of the fire? Was it batteries? Flashlights? Something charging? If it's something we or anyone is using, it would be great to know so history doesn't repeat.

+1

 

[BigBluefish]

Matt, I'm very glad to hear that no one was injured and that the fire was relatively contained. I hope you will be up and running in short order.

The news story does sound a bit sensational, but, as you pointed out, in a commercial fire where other businesses share the same structure, and you have materials like batteries potentially involved, the fire departments try to present an overwhelming response. And DEP showing up is more or less routine for the type of fire and material involved. Heck, here in CT, the DEP shows up if you spill your lawnmower gas can on your driveway.

I just had an order ship out a couple of days before the fire, and it showed up this morning. Funny thing is, I didn't realize you guys were only about an hour away from me here in CT! For some reason, I'd thought you guys were in Cali. If you've got a storefront, I'll have to come pay you a visit (with my checkbook :thumbsup🙂 when you get back on your feet.

Best of luck!