GRAND ISLAND – A car crashed into one of three Olson Furniture Outlet’s buildings at 716 St. Paul Road early Oct. 5, causing a fire that destroyed two of three Olson Furniture Outlet buildings.
Grand Island Fire Department Battalion Chief Scott Kuehl said that Olson Furniture Outlet has buildings at 714, 716, and 718 St. Paul Road.
The Fire Department was dispatched at 12:20 p.m. Oct. 5 to a car fire at the location, so one engine company responded, Kuehl said. While firefighters were enroute, it was reported that the burning car was inside one of the buildings. Then, all four fire stations responded to the fire, Kuehl said.
The building at 716 St. Paul Road was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, he said. The fire then spread to 718 St. Paul Road.
Firefighters used an aerial ladder truck to protect the building at 714 St. Paul Road, which did not burn, Kuehl said.
All three buildings are valued at $1.5 million. The two buildings that burned are total losses and are valued at $750,000, Kuehl said.
Another business, Glee Cupcakes, was located at 716 St. Paul Road.
Firefighters were on scene until 9 a.m. Oct. 5. There were no injuries, Kuehl said.
The car that hit the building is a Grand Island Police Department matter, he said. The driver of the vehicle was able to get out of it safely.
Grand Island Police Department Sgt. Phouk Manivong said that the driver of the car was intoxicated. Officers responded to 716 St. Paul Road at 12:17 a.m. Oct. 5 concerning a vehicle on fire. Upon arrival, a witness said a vehicle had crashed into a building.
Manivong said that police arrested Heriberto Gonzalez Castillo, 24, of 803 S. Vine St. Apt. A for first-offense DUI, no operator’s license, and possession of a controlled substance. Gonzalez Castillo was driving a red 2016 Ford Fusion, Manivong said.
According to Olson Furniture Outlet’s Facebook page, the business has no power to its main show room and will be closed Oct. 6.
“We will let you all know when we have power and are able to reopen,” the Facebook page said. “The good news is no one was hurt, we can rebuild and replace material things.”
“Thank you so much for being amazing customers and being patient with us after this devasting loss,” the Facebook page said.
According to Glee Cupcakes’ Facebook page, “I am heartbroken to let you all know that we are permanently closed.” “It has been my sincere honor to be part of your celebrations. Thank you for your never ending support. I will miss you all.”
