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Warner officials report highway garage fire damaged equipment and roof, Primex engages cleanup
Summary
Public works director said a March 18 fire started in a dump truck that was lost to the blaze; Primex insurance responded quickly, Insuracomm was engaged for cleanup, other vehicles and the building sustained smoke damage, and town staff expect repairs and possible equipment checks over the next 8–10 months.
Warner’s Director of Public Works, Herm Blanchette, told the Select Board on March 31 that a fire at the highway garage on March 18 was caused by a dump truck and that the truck was the only piece of equipment completely lost.
Blanchette said trucks and other equipment suffered heavy smoke damage and the department has been working to clean gear and move vehicles. He commended the Warner Fire Department for its response and said the state approved use of a nearby state garage in the near term. Blanchette said he had sent heavier equipment — a grader and backhoe — to a dealer in Concord for inspection and that the highway garage’s electrical system needs replacement; quotes for electrical, plumbing and insulation work are being obtained. He added that the repair period would be an opportunity to implement long-discussed upgrades including HVAC, water filtration, lighting and windows and estimated a timeline of about 8–10 months to line up the work.
Finance Director Clyde Carson said he filed two insurance claims (for the building and the truck) and that Primex had been in regular contact; he said Primex cleared the truck claim and that Primex’s remediation team arrived on-site within an hour and Insuracomm was chosen to do cleanup. Carson noted Primex has no deductible for this claim. The department is using a rental grader to maintain routine operations while repairs proceed.
