6/4/2008

SMOLAN — Fire damaged a shed housing a machine shop at the southwest edge of Smolan Wednesday morning.

The shop on the first floor of the structure is the home of Billet Race Products, which makes race car suspension components and other parts, and is owned by Jeremy Petty and a partner.

Petty’s parents, Marilyn and Joe, own the homestead where the shop sits. A renter living in an adjacent home, Arrica Sauer, saw flames coming from the roof and second floor of the shed shortly before 10:45 a.m.

Firefighters from rural fire districts in Smolan and Mentor responded. The flames were quickly doused but firefighters continued to spray down hot spots throughout the building for at least a half an hour.

Read more about this story in Thursday’s Journal.