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World Ford Fire Ruled Arson
November 18, 2010
The early Wednesday morning fire at World Ford in Pensacola has been ruled arson.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s office said Thursday afternoon that they believe the fire was intentionally set, and they are looking for assistance in finding the person or persons responsible for the fire in “Car City”.
The State Fire Marshal’s Pensacola Office of the Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations (BFAI), along with the local Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were called by local fire authorities and are currently working the fire investigation. Anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the fire between 4:30 and 5:00 am Wednesday or who may have received information about the fire, is encouraged to call the BFAI’s Pensacola Office at (850) 453-7803.
The fire was reported just before 5 a.m. at World Ford in “Car City” on Pensacola Boulevard. Fire departments from as far north as Molino were dispatched after heavy smoke was reported to be pouring from the dealership’s service area and showroom. Both were heavily damaged by the fire, which was reported to be under control in about 20 minutes.
From the North Escambia area, the Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue was dispatched to stand by for additional calls, and the Cantonment station was among the area fire departments that responded to the blaze.
Tipsters that provide information to the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office may qualify for a reward if the information leads to the arrest and conviction of an arsonist. he Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigation will accept anonymous calls.
For more photos from the scene, click here.
Pictured top: Firefighters work to extinguish an early morning fire at World Ford in Pensacola. Pictured inset: Smoke billows from service bays at the dealership. Pictured below: The interior of the facility was heavily damaged by the blaze. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, click to enlarge.
Comments
15 Responses to “World Ford Fire Ruled Arson”
As a child on the ’90s I remember my dad buying a car when it was Key Ford. He started using the service dept after what happened at out local Ford dealership in Foley, AL., they had just became World Ford. He told them what had happen in Foley and World Ford made sure that they gave beyond the greatest service to his car and to insure that he would come back to them. He cont to use them for any and all service to his car until he went home in ‘04. World Ford I pray that you come back bigger, stronger, and the BEST in Pensacola.
My heart goes out to all the employees and there familys at World Ford. In the state our economy is in and the holidays upon us, it could not be a worse time for something this bad to happen to these people. Most people that work in a dealership are commision base ONLY. Please keep the World Ford family in your prayers in this difficult time.
I have purchased 2 trucks from the great people at World Ford and have had all of my vehicles serviced there. Both the sales department and the service department are great, and we have always been treated with care and respect, which is a lot more than I can say for experiences I’ve had elsewhere! I am so disappointed to see what has happened and to know that it is arson! And for those of you who are accusing their employees of an inside job, maybe you should keep your opinions to yourself! And to think it’s a set up because there are no cars in the showroom? If you’ve ever been in there you’d know that there are never any cars in the showroom! I think it’s because it’s too small. But one way or the other, it’s definitely nothing unusual for no cars to be in there! My prayers go out to the employees at this time and I will pray that the culprit is caught and convicted to the highest level of the law!
I can’t believe some of the comments. “Just call the insurance company?” The people at WF are hard working and have a tough job, especially with the economy as it is. I know, I worked there for many years. I believe there should be some compassion for the employees who spend countless hours there just trying to make a living. They are the ones who will suffer from this.
If you have nothing supportive to say, then please don’t say anything.
with as bad as the economy thats one way out just burn it and call insurance company
I work there in Detail Area, And I love my Job, This really ticks me off and others as well to think someone would do this to Us, now it makes the holidays a little more Difficult on all of us employees cause now we gotta rebuild or remodel and Try to Sell some Cars-Which may seems like a little damper right now But the People at World Ford and all the employees work Hard and Dedicate their time into getting the job Done And anything is Possible with GOD
I work up the street at another dealer, and if they’re as slow as we are in service they may not have had many vehicles in the shop. I’m sure they had to have a loss or two of vehicles in the show room.
Kind of makes one ponder when you do not see cars burned when you have had a fire at a dealership. Last I checked most places have cars inside to work on and or show for sales. Very interesting indeed. Could be a inside job for sure! Wonder how their insurance agent is feeling right now after seeing that??
Wow, someone must have gotten bad service.
why didnt they have a sprinkler system?
there are no cars in their showroom, they couldn’t fit any the doors are to small.
Most showrooms & service bays are full of cars. I don’t see any in the pictures. Did the fire department pull them out? Were there just not in the building on this particular night? Just wondering.
TERRIBLE!!! I feel really bad for the people who work there!
Great photos!
Time to have a ‘Fire Sale’ … sorry, too soon for jokes. Looks pretty bad. I hate to see a loss like that happen – hope the cause is determined. I like Ford diesel trucks the best.