This article was originally published in The Examiner on Nov. 23, 2017.
By Eleanor Skelton
Staff Writer
The fire at Torres Collision Tuesday night was probably intentionally set, investigators said.
Firefighters went to Torres Collision in the 1500 block of Laurel Avenue about 2:30 a.m., Tuesday, Nov. 21, Beaumont Fire-Rescue spokesperson Jimmy Blanchard said in a news release posted to the department’s Facebook page. The back of the store was on fire.
“Firefighters began an aggressive interior fire attack, but there was a partial building collapse within minutes, trapping three firefighters,” Blanchard said. They were quickly pulled from under the rubble by other firefighters and only two of them suffered minor injuries.
Beaumont EMS treated the two firefighters who were hurt were on scene.
“The fire attack then became defensive,” Blanchard said. “A second alarm was called to bring additional units and firefighters to the scene.”
After about an hour, Beaumont Fire-Rescue brought the fire under control. Firefighters were on scene for about four hours total.
The church building was heavily damaged in the fire.
Investigators believe the fire was deliberately set by someone.
Eleanor Skelton 