WAYNEDALE ENDS THE YEAR WITH A BANG

Heavy smoke and flames broke out around 10am. at the Pyromaniacs store, 6708 Old Trail Road. Jim Rodgers was in a business next door when the fire smoke started billowing out the doors of the store on Wednesday, December 30. Multiple Fort Wayne Fire Department units arrived on the scene 3 minutes after multiple calls according to Fire Chief Pete Kelly.

At times flames shot 15 or more feet into the air with loud pops as the fireworks inside the store exploded. Upon arrival, with a 23 degree temperature, Engine 5 found heavy smoke and flames in the entire building. The north wall of the structure had already blown out. Due to the contents of the building Engine 5 Command called for a second alarm and stated defensive operations from the outside. A heavy-stream of water was used to contain the fire which was attacked on the outside of the 5,000 square-foot building. All resources on the scene were utilized to control the fire and successfully protect surrounding businesses and homes. At one point, approximately 45 firefighters were on the scene battling the blaze.
The FWFD was assisted by Fort Wayne Police Department, TRAA, NIPSCO and AEP as well.

The store hours were 3pm to 8pm so no one was in the building when the fire broke out.

“This may have had more than your average store,” said Chief Kelly. The store which had been there for seven years, was stocked for New Years’ celebration. They were open for the holidays because Indiana’s fireworks law currently allows the sale of fireworks during the New Year holiday.

Gary Graham converted the building he had occupied on a seasonal basis since 2002 into a year-round operation. Pyromaniac Fireworks opened May 1, 2002 with a $75,000 upgrade to the building.

Fire department started wrapping up hoses around 1pm but remained on the scene for many hours after to ensure all hotspots were extinguished and to assist in the investigation. The building was a complete loss and was torn down. Owner Gary Graham says he will rebuild and be open Memorial Day.

According to FWFD as a result of the investigation and due to the extent of damage, the cause of the fire will remain undetermined. Arson was not suspected.