EASTHAMPTON — Detectives from the state fire marshal’s office continue to investigate the cause of a Sunday morning fire that devastated a longtime city auto body shop, but the blaze is not considered suspicious in nature, according to Jake Wark, spokesman for the state fire marshal’s office.
Easthampton firefighters and police officers as well as firefighters from six other area departments responded to Ed’s Auto Body & Repair Inc. around 5 a.m. Sunday to battle the fire, which partially collapsed the roof and extended over to two garage bays at the Mechanic Street shop.
“We are devastated and still in shock,” said Joann Nalewanski, who owns the business with her husband Ed. “At this point, we don’t know what our next step is. Our top priorities are our employees and customers.”
Ed Nalewanski started Ed’s Auto Body & Repair on May 1, 1978 in a single bay on Mechanic Street. Over the years, he continued to expand. The Easthampton shop employs 10 people, including the Nalewanskis.
Last year, the city’s Fire Department recommended installing a commercial fire alarm system. Their suggestion is what allowed 911 to dispatch a team the moment the system was activated and save part of the building, said Joann Nalewanski.
“Everything can be replaced. Everyone cannot,” she said, offering gratitude to the emergency personnel for their efforts.
She also publicly voiced her thanks via a Facebook post to the Easthampton, MA Group Page and the Ed’s Auto Body in Easthampton page. The two posts received an outpouring of support from customers, friends, family and neighbors.
“It’s going to be a tough road ahead,” the post reads. “Please be assured we are already working on a plan for current and scheduled customers. … Thank you for your patience as we try to navigate in unfamiliar waters. … Together we are strong and we will get through this. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all for keeping everyone safe. That’s what really matters!”
Detectives from the fire marshal’s office returned to the site Monday to continue the investigation, Wark said.
At this point, the Fire Department has not cleared the owners of the business to enter the building for safety reasons. Though it’s too soon to tell what the future of the business is, Joann Nalewanski said they’d like to rebuild, the decision ultimately lies with the owner of the property, Charles Patterson, according to the city assessor’s records.
Those looking to contact Ed Nalewanski directly are encouraged to call the shop’s phone number, 413-527-7622, and the call will be routed to his cellphone.
Emily Thurlow can be reached at ethurlow@gazettenet.com.
