Fire in Blue Mound destroys Bekenmar Church Furniture Co.
July 25th, 2007
By MARY TALLON - H&R Staff Writer
BLUE MOUND - The owner of a Blue Mound business was treated and released from the hospital with first-degree burns after a fire erupted at Bekenmar Church Furniture Co. around 2:30 p.m. on Monday.
The blaze caused major damage to two structures and their contents at the business, which specializes in making pews, pulpits and other religious furnishings.
Bevin Aufrecht, who has owned Bekemar for about 15 years, said he was welding when the fire started. Aufrecht suffered burns on his arms when he attempted to close the fire doors of the structure to contain the flames. He was able to leave the building without being more seriously hurt.
His sister, Doris Middleton, said she was doing upholstery work in the other building when the fire occurred. Middleton was trapped upstairs by smoke before she was able to escape without injury by climbing out a window onto a ladder.
The two are the only employees of the business.
Aufrecht said he had not yet been able to go inside the buildings to survey the damage but said he expected the fire was “probably a total loss.”
Blue Mound Fire Chief John Holmgren said his department was assisted by four other county fire departments as about 30 firefighters worked to put out the blaze. Decatur Ambulance Service also responded to the fire.
Holmgren said he believes the fire started when sparks from Aufrecht’s welding ignited some black varnish residue on the ground.
One lane of Illinois 48 was blocked in front of the business Monday evening while firefighters remained at the scene to monitor the fire so it did not restart.
Mary Tallon can be reached at mtallon@herald-review.com or 421-7984.
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