Rising From Ashes

Arson A Theodore business is trying to get back to work more than a month after a destructive arson fire.

by Chad Petri

Published: Fri, October 02, 2009 - 4:27 pm CST Last Updated: Fri, October 02, 2009 - 4:30 pm CST

THEODORE, Alabama - August 14th, 2009 was a fateful day for three Theodore businesses. In the early morning hours a fire destroyed American Fleet Service and two other operations. Today, AFS is back up and running, but according to the owner, it’s been a struggle. Owner Freddie Goodman says he can’t get the work done that he wants to get done. He says much of the specialized equipment that was destroyed in the fire hasn’t been reimbursed by his insurance company. In the weeks since the fire, he says he's taking all of his new challenges one day at a time.

“We're trying now to treat it as an inconvenience and pick things up a little at a time,” says Goodman. His other business, Fat Boyz Choppers, is gone for good. He says he’s had to lay off three fulltime employees and cut the hours of others. Charred cars and motorcycles can still be found around the shop.

“Stuff that we've drug out of the fire hoping we'll be able to salvage something, or keep it for anything that might come out down the road,” says Goodman. He says he’s been bolstered by the help of people like Bruce Randol. He’s a friend and former shop owner who’s volunteered his time to help out. Goodman says a lot of people have volunteered time, resources and tools to help, but it may not be enough.

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cmb1 Says:

Thu, Oct 15, 2009 at 10:09 am

The business should of had insurance to cover vehicles on his property?

kart28 Says:

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 at 7:13 pm

Hey bamafan l just noticed your response on the insurance and your right, it is the law, it is the law to have liability coverage on vehicles but not full coverage, therefore my insurance won’t cover the truck because l only had liablity. And theres the word NEIGLIGENCE that only leaves the Arsonist liable for all the damage he caused. And left a long list of unknown victims wondering why or how somebody could do something like this and get away with it.

bamafan Says:

Mon, Oct 05, 2009 at 5:08 am

mobtownboy—- sorry for your loss of vehicle. Thats what insurance is for, Thats the law. IMO you need to go back to school and learn to spell and write.

mobtownboy Says:

Sun, Oct 04, 2009 at 10:30 pm

You know its bad when the cops or who ever cant catch the people who set that fire to that mans business and its not fair for the people that work there to lose their jobs either. My friends mom works there and his truck was out back at the fire,was just waitin for a paintjob and now my bro dont havea ride nomore cause it was burt up in the fire, hadnt seen it in peson but lve seen pics and the inside of it looks like a melted candle or sumethin, aint nothin left of his truck.