total loss News

Investigators: Northern Idaho Fire Likely Arson

Fire investigators say a fire that destroyed a northern Idaho helmet business and a vacuum cleaner business was likely caused by arson. The Coeur d’Alene Press reports that investigators found a gas can under a desk in the building housing …

Salvage Experts Weigh Options for Italian Cruise Ship

From raising the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk to securing drilling platforms wrenched loose by Hurricane Katrina, Dutch companies have a long history of mopping up after maritime disasters. The Rotterdam-based Smit Salvage has not yet won the contract to salvage …

Oregon Nightclub a Total Loss After Fire

A fire has destroyed a Salem, Ore., nightclub, but authorities believe no one was inside when the fire broke out. The fire on Tuesday rendered the building a total loss, firefighters told KATU-TV. Video shows flames billowing above the building …

Reward offered in Missouri Country Club Fire

Investigators in the Missouri Bootheel town of Kennett are offering a reward of up to $5,000 in the search for those responsible for a fire at the Kennett Country Club. The Kennett Daily Dunklin Democrat reports that the blaze on …

Study: Lower Satisfaction Among Total Loss Auto Claimants

Auto insurance claimants who incur a total loss are notably less satisfied with the claims experience than claimants who incur a repairable vehicle claim, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2011 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study(SM) released today. The …

Fire Damages Mississippi Foam Plant

Authorities are investigating what caused Tuesday’s fire at a Mississippi foam plant. The small factory manufactured cut foam used in furniture making. About a dozen volunteer and full-time fire departments, including Tupelo and Saltillo, responded to the call around 11 …

Thieves Steal Dozens of Storm Drain Grates in Nevada City

Reno police are searching for thieves who have stolen dozens of storm drain grates over the last couple of months. Police say thieves have made off with more than 40 grates, or covers, mainly in the Somersett area of northwest …

Fire Destroys Oldest Church in Central Texas Town

A fire has destroyed the oldest standing church in the Central Texas town of Gatesville. City Fire Chief Billy Vaden told the Killeen Daily Herald that the First Christian Church caught fire early Tuesday morning. He calls it a “total …

Lightning Strike Starts Fire, Destroys Kentucky Home

A central Kentucky homeowner says a lightning strike started a fire that burned his home to the ground. Mark Dees of Berea told WLEX-TV in Lexington that the lightning struck at about 3:30 p.m. EDT Saturday while he was out, …

Possible Tornado Damages Pennsylvania Business

A powerful thunderstorm may have spawned a tornado that caused a building collapse in northeast Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Fire Department received a report of a collapse of a large section of roof at a beer distributor …