BY DONNIE JOHNSTON
While no exact dollar estimate has been determined, a Culpeper County school system report says damage was substantial in a roof fire at the Eastern View High School construction site last Thursday.
According to the report issued this week by school construction projects manager Hunter Spencer, about 2,000 square feet of steel roof deck was affected by the fire's heat and the cold water used to put the flames out.
As many as 50 steel joists, two steel beams and one steel column also appear to have been affected, according to the report.
Roof insulation, rolls of rubber roofing and containers of mastic that were stored on the roof were the only items that burned, the report adds.
Damaged materials are being removed this week and actual construction work is continuing in other parts of the cinder-block and concrete shell.
Spencer's report states that contractor Howard Shockey and Sons believes the fire and subsequent repairs will have no affect on the project's completion date. Eastern View High School is scheduled to open in August 2008.
The fire is believed to have been started by a welder's torch. No one was injured.
The damage, which unofficial estimates have put in the $50,000-$70,000 range, will be covered by insurance.
"There is no cost impact to the owner for this event," the report states.
Donnie Johnston: