Well, yeah... that's a bit obvious!!

 

The point being I'd take as much pleasure in rebuilding my shop as I would building another truck. Heck, by the time I finished rebuilding my shop I may decide on doing something different.

 

Only two days after the disaster an AAA is already denying stuff. I am actively seeking legal counsel. Insurance sucks.

 

They don't want to part with the money you have paid them over the years.

 

I'm fighting my health insurance company now. It's standard on every claim.

 

The fire cause analysis investigator was here on Thursday, It is looking like the cause was electrical in nature, starting on the north wall of the shop. The building is just shy of 5 years old, so it wasn't the building wiring. A wooden work bench was where the worst charring was. On that bench was a Ryobi cordless battery charger, with a battery in it, plugged into a power strip. It is likely that one of those three things failed and caught fire. The current problem is the roof collapse has covered that area, and the investigator cannot see those pieces to be certain. The insurance needs to decide if it wants to pay for some excavation to get to that area. It would mean tearing down the north wall and removing the collapsed roof section.

The building appraiser also came on Thursday. His report will be at the insurance company no later than Tuesday. In the meantime, I am tasked with coming up with a property inventory on an individual basis, cost paid, date purchased, and condition. 45 years of amassing tools and equipment, and I have to list it down to each wrench and screwdriver, and how much it cost when I bought it. Talk about a daunting task!! I had a very substantial set of tools and equipment.

AAA is telling me that they do not cover any motor vehicles, or parts for motor vehicles, whether they are attached to a motor vehicle or not. Adding up what I had in the shop for the truck project, my street tracker motorcycle, and my baja bug is totaling over $60K. I am getting royally screwed on this disaster. Being retired with a fixed nest egg that has to last us the rest of our lives leaves little hope of overcoming any of this loss.

 

So, likely the lithium ion battery burnt your building down..... Possibly the charger failed, with an over-voltage.... battery got hot, and once it starts, it doesn't stop.

The insurance company knows they are handing you an impossible task. They are counting on that. Also that you won't remember everything you had in there. The flat out refusal to pay for vehicles/parts, is truly a bummer. Lot of money just went up in smoke there. Truly sorry man.

When I went thru this, I just listed the tool 'sets' I had bought, sockets, wrenches, etc. Plus the various air/power tools I had. I don't remember what I did about cost though... it's been a bit.... (couple decades) Mine was theft though, not fire.

 

So sorry for your loss, but I'm glad you're physically okay at least. Best wishes going forward and dealing with the BS insurance will throw at you at every turn.

 

Yeah, based on what the investigator is saying it would seem the lithium battery would be the most likely culprit. I'm not particularly familiar with how a battery fire can start and spread to burn down a building. But I'm wondering if placing a charger in a metal container would lessen the odds of a fire starting. Obviously keeping it away from flammables would be fundamental. Perhaps keeping them off wood benches as well.

This is why many people balk at buying an EV.

 

So, I admit it. I am a sick puppy. I am already shopping around my area for another Dakota. I am thinking this time through to start with a running Dakota, and just do a body swap while keeping the Dakota running gear intact, Upgrade/repair as necessary, and take my time getting to the final product over time as needed. I won't have shop 2.0 until some time in 2025. But it will be improved with a/c, and a urethane floor coating. I am considering this event as a speed bump in life. A six foot tall speed bump, but it is just stuff. We have our home, and our health. Move on...