Submitted article

An unlikely source was the cause of a fire at Wundrow Auto Repair on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.

Todd Wundrow was closing his business for the day at approximately 5:00 pm when he could smell something burning in the office area. Unsure of where the smell was coming from, he began searching for the source. "I knew I had to be proactive to prevent a worst case scenario," Todd stated.

Within 10 minutes, the office started to fill with a haze of smoke and he had contacted emergency fire services. A small flame and smoke were then located on a bottom corner of a closed off exterior entryway to the office. The first responders arrived within minutes of the emergency call. Due to their rapid response, the fire was quickly contained and extinguished.

The Stanley Fire Department determined that heat and time of day, sun placement and black painted exterior wood were factors that caused the sun to heat the black painted exterior wood and in turn started the wood on fire. Todd added, "I was lucky to be at the shop at that time and recognize I had a fire in the early stages. There was minor fire damage to that entryway, but I know many aren't as fortunate in these types of situations. If I had been gone for the day, this could have easily been far worse in a matter of

minutes. I want people to know how important it is to call early with a fire, before it gets out of control." Todd and his wife, Misty, posted an update on their Wundrow Auto Repair Facebook page that evening. They stated, "We couldn't be more grateful to have such caring and knowledgeable men and women serving our community. Thank you is not enough, but we truly thank you all."

Members of the Stanley Fire Department take a closer look at an exterior entryway at Wundrow Auto Repair. Submitted photo.

Wundrow Auto Repair on Maple Street, where a quick response from the Stanley Fire Department saved the day. Submitted photo.