I Almost Burned Down Main Street Joliet | Engels Coach Shop

[@TCW-hw6iw]

I was on a volunteer fire department for 25 years, retiring as chief. It was a source of annoyance that we never heard about the ones we saved, only the ones that were or went beyond our control. Its good to hear you give kudos to your department. Pre-planning was in its infancy when I served, but many current departments have contingency plans for most commercial properties. It's wonderful to hear how one was so successful. A lot of people don't realize that most dusts are highly combustible / explosive, even the dust in their home driers. Love your show and stories.

[@algorithm-w7o]

Everyone wants to be number 1, except for the most likely to have a fire. I am glad you and main St. Are still good. Thanks for sharing.

[@UncleMelB]

So glad they contained the fire within. If they hadn’t we wouldn’t be enjoying your builds and stories. Hope the cattle are doing well.

[@cap10david]

I’m usually a lot more likely to offer help than ask for it, but it is truly humbling when you have to ask and the fire department or other emergency responders come to the rescue. They are truly a blessing in our lives, our friends and neighbors who will always come when we need it. Happened to me last year and I was truly grateful for volunteer departments from several towns around as far as 25 miles who made it to the dead end dirt road in just minutes and saved the day.

[@brianmros4844]

Hi Dave, and Diane, I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas. This fire story was scary. I have been fortunate to have avoided that in my years. I could feel the chills down your spine when the fire department gave you their assessment of what could have been. There are thousands of people that are glad that did not happen. Thank you for sharing, and have a great weekend.

[@milt7348]

Pre-planning is the sign of a great fire chief, and early detection detection didn't hurt either. Stay safe and we'll see you next week. Happy new years .

[@donwilliams3626]

I just added cleaning out my shop to the top of my To Do List. Thanks for sharing your impactful lesson.

[@thirzapeevey2395]

There was a great Baltimore fire too, in 1904. It was the cause of standardization in fire fighting equipment. Companies from cities all around were put on rail cars and sent to help fight the fire in Baltimore, but they couldn't be used when they got there because their hoses couldn't connect to Baltimore's hydrants. You've made me really cautious about dust in my shop as well.

[@MarilynBell-g8v]

I'm 70 Years Old and Have Worked With My Hands All My Time. I am Not Exactly Sure Why. However I Really Hope Some Young Craftsman Learns and Continues Your Special Trade. Either That Or I Hope You Live Forever. Marilyn ❤

[@modslot]

Hello Marilyn, my name is Brian I am 58 and work with my hands as well. There is hope for our young craftsmen and craftswomen, in April my 18 year old son will begin a 4 to 5 year apprenticeship with a traditional Japanese Blacksmith making knifes in Japan, and I can't tell you just how proud I am of him. My wife is from Japan and my other two older boys are also skilled with their hands, one is a welder and the other plays a classic harp. My wife and I are truly blessed.

[@Spaceman_spliff]

Young (28 years of age) hand tool chair maker here, I’m not going anywhere any time soon. Going deep with collecting huge old industrial woodworking machinery, and going similarly deep collecting hand tools.

[@harpintn]

@@Spaceman_spliff I am glad to see that your generation is showing interest in working with traditional hand tools. It is an art that was nearly lost due to the invention of power tools.

[@TX-biker]

It’s a rare person to tell a story such as yours in a VERY public forum. Your straight forward honesty and candid nature are appreciated. A small town near me had an antique store burn down because the coffee shop next door caught fire💁🏽‍♂️ Glad you and the other shops are safe

[@Vikingwerk]

Alpine? Bread and Breakfast? Ivy’s Emporium?

[@TX-biker]

@ The shop I mentioned was in Denton TX🤠 I wondered how many other similar situations existed

[@Vikingwerk]

@ Damn near the exact same scenario happened in Alpine this year, fire in the restaurant, burned down most of the block, including an antique store. Wild coincidences huh?

[@davidchisham]

Always enjoyable to listen to your stories. I worked at Paoli CHAIR IN PAOLi Indiana. It was an old three story building. We had many fires in sawdust bin. One Sunday morning the plant caught fire. Many employees came plus four fire departments. With everyone working together the plant was saved. Much water damage.

[@johnblystone8781]

I was recently surprised to learn and see that oily rags such as Linseed oil can spontaneously combust by themselves. Thanks for the video.

[@mcsweeneyb1]

Jane And I Have been in the Volunteer Fire Service for over 40 Years. So glad your local department did pre planning, it is critical to our operations. So glad your still there as we would not have had your expertise on our Brewster wagon wheels and the coaching you gave on our rebuild of the 1900 Brewster Bronson wagon

[@alexanderprovan7059]

Thanks for this video. I'm spending my time tomorrow completely clening my basement workshop of dust. Thanks, Dqve, for this stark wake-up.

[@johnsawyer2516]

A new coach project !!! Wonderful for all your subscribers. Best wishes Dave and your family for a happy and prosperous new year.

[@olddawgdreaming5715]

Thank you Lord for sparing Joliet that disaster in 2005 and may you continue to watch over Dave and Diane and the town of Joliet . Stay safe Dave and keep up the great work you and Diane do around there. Fred.

[@johnbuchholz313]

Very interesting video and history lesson. I am glad that luck and the fire department was on your side and saved your shop and your business. Thanks for sharing and Happy New Year to you and your wife.!!

[@CatsSleepyHollow]

Love the mix between history and the building.

[@tubeu28]

Good job all around, I'm fascinated with your craftsmanship but the story telling is a wonderful treat! Thanks again and God bless

[@billroberts3864]

Dave, thank you for sharing your 'close call' with the fire in the dust pile. Your story reminds all woodworkers to keep a clean shop to prevent fires from getting started in the first place. Blessings to you as you continue to build the stagecoach.

[@larrypardi9143]

Almost got me... happy to hear things have recovered and another old project is getting done.

[@jackreed3445]

In my first job I was using a bench mounted wire wheel in the electric shop and not knowing much about the electric panels didn't know that pieces of the wire wheel were flying across the room and getting in between the motor control units and building up near the 480 volt buss in the back of the cabinets. This had been going on before I started I suppose but anyway... The wire pieces finally got against two of the phases and I got an arc flash and dust explosion in my face. I was far enough away so that only my eyebrows and eyelashes suffered. That flash shut the who mill down and got my new boss to the room rather quickly. We got it cleared up and in the process I got my first look at all the equipment behind all those doors and I got to move the grinder to another area. That was my start of what would be a fun career as an electrician. jack

[@BillOwens-vt2wi]

Always good to have history. This will be a nice coach looking forward to seeing it.

[@markchodroff250]

Thank God your who,and the Main Street is OK , I would use a leaf blower to,clean out the shop often, but I know your on top,of it now !👍🏻👍🏻

[@stuartdrakley2106]

Hi Diane and Dave. What a fascinating story and quite frightening too. However Dave, a very well told and interssting story. I can feel the weight of responsibility on you shoulders. Stu UK.

[@lae52]

That's a good video. I can relate. In my case it was a kitchen fire through my own stupidity and carelessness. You don't forget the hard lessons.

[@tomswindler64]

Nice start to the new build.just keep on doing what you do best.be safe.great work,great video 👍👍👍😎😎😎

[@MarkAllen-p6z]

Thank you for this extremely important fire safety information. Everyone needs to assess their risks and what they need to do to abate them. Fires are preventable with just a modicum of care and concern!

[@rogerbraidwood7611]

That was a great story ...With the telling of it i am sure a % of your subcribes will be more aware of potential workshop fires .... I will fore sure !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@oldspokes]

Great reminder for those of us who should clean up our shops more often. Have a Happy New Year.

[@richardthornhill4630]

Probably, your sharing your story will help others look around their shop and clean up. No doubt, you will have saved someone's shop and career. Thanks. Glad the Fire Department had planning and were prepared.

[@barryolson3998]

That story was quite the story, and a bit scary. Thank you for sharing it, Dave.

[@Mopar46]

I've only got a relatively small shed, but I always check that nothing's smouldering before I leave, having had a couple of incidents where welding sparks have landed on rags, and ignited. There's paint and other flammable liquids in there, too, so I find it pays to be extra vigilant. Once bitten........

[@seekimheng8929]

That's an amazing story about the fire. God bless you Dave 🙏❤️

[@qd63991]

Confession is good for the soul, and good for all to hear. And your fire story is a stark reminder for me in my basement wood shop to be careful when grinding metal!

[@grahammorgan9635]

Thanks Dave for the great story, sobering as it is and the methodical way you are unravelling the building of this coach. Can’t wait.

[@d6c10k4]

Look up the Peshtigo fire which was on the same day as the Great Chicago fire. It's pretty much forgotten because of that, but was much larger. It killed between 1500 and 2500 people and burned 1.2 million acres.

[@davidhayes9060]

Thank you for sharing Someone needed to hear your amazing "message". Think it was heaven sent Best Wishes

[@billj.widmann112]

Thanks for the history on the shop and Joliet.

[@Edgeair]

Thank you and have a happy new year

[@aerialrescuesolutions3277]

Most excellent content as usual. Thank you for sharing this story

[@michelbrodeur6055]

Thanks for sharing this bit of your history in Joliet. There but for the grace of God go I as some would say. Again Thank You Dave and this is a Teaching Moment for those of us that do Wood Working. Take Care and Happy New Year.

[@12345.......]

I was worried you had another fire. I've been watching long enough to hear the story again.

[@garrettswoodworx1873]

Me too! So glad it was just a retelling of the old fire. Hopefully others will take it as a warning!

[@TheBest-ob1kj]

Wow, thanks for sharing your store with us. So glad that the shop was saved❤

[@ronaldwood9911]

Always a delight to watch your mastery at work along with the stories that go with each project

[@robertrawlings]

Thanks Dave for sharing that storey, I think about those types of problems even to this day at my own small workshop like you be aware of your surroundings at all times accidents DO happen . Great video mate .😊

[@joeberanek6653]

Maybe you need a Fire sprinkler system installed. That would help if you ever had a another fire. Love your videos I have learned a lot. Keep safe and have fun.

[@robt2151]

IIRC, Dave has a fire extinguisher near his office door and a couple of very dusty ones by the wood rack. Prevention is always the best option but having contingencies is never a bad idea.

[@bryanmeyers5476]

Thanks for the video and the story of your close call. Your life would have turned out differently had someone opened a door during the process of trying to find the fire location. And here you are today putting together a coach whose pieces survived that fateful night with only one piece that will have to be replaced. Happy New Year!

[@daniellarrivee-ic3lg]

Thanks to you Mr. and Ms. Engel Happy holiday !!!!!!!!!!

[@MarilynBell-g8v]

You are Great Parents. God Bless You.

[@kimsutton2268]

Thank you for reminding us about fire safety blessings to all

[@edwinleach7401]

Thank you for sharing.

[@toddavis8603]

I do not have dust collector in my 18' by 16' shop due to limited space.I'm thinking about installing that unit after your video story.😮Fire extinguishers are at the ready.

[@GenderSkins]

I have to admit that yes it is a sobering thought, when you have a fire, or know that you live in a high Fire priority area for your local fire department. I can say that as I live next to a natural gas metering station, a huge 5,000 gallon propane tank, and a liquid fertilizer tank as well as do furniture restoration and work on antique fire arms. Had a transformer start sparking a couple of times, was amazed at how quickly the fire department showed up along with the electric company.

[@davidallen803]

Nice story, and just think some of that character you like to put into the wood is already there because of the fire. Thanks for sharing...

[@oc2phish07]

And in my country, England, there was The Great Fire of London in 1666. Great little video as always, Dave. Happy New Year to you and your family and friends, and of course, to all your KZbin fans and followers.

[@cotton-Dave]

oc2p-- You also had that 1952 killer smog where over 12,000 people lost their lives over 5 days. :(

[@oc2phish07]

@@cotton-Dave Indeed we did. And before the 'Clean Air Act' came into force in 1956 we had regular thick, 'pea soup' fogs every year. I remember those well from my childhood.

[@davidhudson5452]

You must be watched it can still happen worked in fire control Dont burn the town down Happy New Year

[@redrockplumber5124]

Can't wait to see! Thanks for the Safety Briefing! Always a good reminder!

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing 👍 and Happy New Year to you and your family 😊

[@andrewjones1649]

Great stories,you tell, Dave. I'm glad it ended up, not too badly.

[@douglasschafer6372]

I for one am glad you and your business are still around.

[@garychaiken808]

Great job. Thank you 😊

[@Cadcare]

That's an amazing story about the fire and the disaster that could have been. It reminds me of theatres and their use of fire curtains. I bet that the local theatre has a great fire safety system in place, too!

[@repete2362]

the projector with carbon arc light the film nitrate(gunpowder) fire door entrance to projector room metal doors for projector windows back in the day now digital download mostly

[@MRichK]

At the same time as the Chicago fire there was a fire in the Wisconsin woods by Peshtigo north of Green Bay that was far larger and also many casualties. A hot dry summer.

[@catherinewhite2943]

The Lord was watching out for you and your shop, Dave!

[@rickaser2383]

Thanks Dave. I set a friend’s shop on fire w/a cutting torch, pushing slag into s pile of junk under a workbench. Fortunately, we got the fire out with a hand held unit and then tore all the debris out and overhauled all of it. Probably time to revisit junk accumulation. Appreciate the reminder and your story.

[@chuckshaffer1940]

Sometimes we need a wake up call! I'm glad that yours was not as bad as it could have been! I hope you have a Happy New Year!

[@tomtruesdale6901]

So glad the people saw the smoke, that could have been really bad if you opened the door in the morning and got caught in the flash over. You shop defiantly has a high fire load like you pointed out with all the wood, paint and solvents plus your welding supplies.

[@mrclaus859]

Thanks for posting Dave

[@steveaustin4118]

I remember you mentioning the fire before but you didn't mention how serious it could of been, glad it wasn't I enjoy your video's so much

[@flywayhome8903]

Once again thanks for the video.

[@pauls4708]

Had a chimney fire at home once,that was scary enough!. I live in New Zealand,and have travelled around the country a lot. Many many buildings here are timber framed and timber clad. Some of our oldest buildings are Hotels. It s amazing that some of these hotels have been rebuilt muliple times because they have been destroyed by fires. Of course in the old days they would have multiple fires in the building. The kitchen, Dining rooms, bars and maybe even in some of the accomodation rooms. Maybe smoke detectors are in order for you ,but the dust would probably play havoc with them.

[@glencrandall7051]

I am amazed at your recollection of past events. Also about the purpose of each of those old parts. You are a most interesting man. You and your work is most fascinating. Thank you for sharing. Have a great day and stay safe.🙂🙂

[@scottmcfarland1177]

I can't believe you still have those parts kicking around after 20 years! I am surprised you didn't use them for another project! As for the fire I always think about the chance of that when you are forging parts for a project with a shop full of wood!

[@lineshaftrestorations7903]

An interesting resource for assessing fire potential is the series of Sanborn Fire Insurance maps. These detail building construction for many cities and towns in the US. They also provide a historic record of municipal and industrial facilities that no longer exist. The Library of Congress and many universities have Sanborn maps in their collections.

[@lerkzor]

That was an important lesson. I am glad that you were given a chance to learn from it without destroying your town. God bless, and see you again in 2025!

[@zeekk109]

Always very interesting and in lighting, thanks

[@mfreund15448]

Happy Friday Dave and Diane!!

[@GypsyJvan]

great video !! thanks dave..

[@causewaykayak]

A narrow escape and a salutory lesson. Most of us are not as tidy in our shops as perhaps we should be. Good job there a volunteers willing to man the fire trucks. The fire service would be nowhere without them. ❤

[@jacobogden6710]

You’ve been married 48 years!!!!! Congratulations! I can’t find someone to marry me let along stay a lifetime!!! Absolutely fantastic. I still love this channel and will continue to watch it for many years to come as it continues to provide content.

[@kenhart6330]

You have to find the right girl/woman for you don't head straight for the chapel when you do find a nice woman. My wife and I walked out for almost seven and a half years before she said YES and I'm glad she did that next year will be our fortieth anniversary in September. The first one might be in the same position as you almost rushing to get away from mam and dad's house. It's mam because I'm from the north of England, it is the longer version of MA that some of your countrymen use for their mother's.

[@0Hillbilly]

I'm a retired firefighter/EMS. We preplanned all the commercial and rental properties in our district. From duplex to hotel and all manufacturing and retail businesses. We didn't have a ladder truck, so our most difficult one was the grocery store. God bless y'all.

[@williambridges6742]

There also was the Hartford CT circus fire on July 6th 1944. There were 167 Deaths and 700 non fatal injuries. The show that day was viewed by over 6,000 people. This was the worst fire in Connecticut history. Source is from Wikipedia / Hartford Circus fire..

[@Hazmatt4700]

In 98 drunk kid lit some straw bales on fire in the front of our family hardware store. Total loss, under insured, dying town. (Oakridge, Oregon) Happy your local department was able to get it under control. Losing years of progress that quickly is difficult.

[@marlinkojak9882]

great story Dave

[@bobhillier921]

Life’s lessons are worth sharing.

[@johnsmith-xr6qy]

My dad would have liked to watch you make these wagons and carriages. He passed away in July 1988 with two one horse wagons and two or three pony buggies and the harness for each. He could talk your wagon language. Thank you for the details.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Fire is a very scary thing.......Thank you Dave for sharing your fire story....... Old F-4 pilot Shoe🇺🇸

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

As dark and grim this topic is, it's actually a lovely Christmas story. Nobody got hurt, you kept your business, and you did not become The Mrs. O'Leary's Cow of Joliet 😃

[@pete_ski]

Thanks Dave,

[@Pushyhog]

l love wagon train, maybe someday a wagon like on that tv show. Watch it weekly.

[@WarblesOnALot]

G'day Dave, That's a really scary Fire story...! I've often wondered about the Smoke-stained Walls. My grandfather's Coachbuilding Workshop featured the Old & New sections, the oldest part fell down in a Storm in the 1960s ; they were dirt-floored, and across the road was about 100 yards of flat grassy Parkland with the Park Creek running South to North, and the Ground in the Blacksmith/Coachbuilding Shop was always damp. I never considered it before, always thought of that as being a nuisance - but it would've meant that any Sawdust, Sanding Dust, or Wood shavings lying on the ground would wick-up moisture and be too damp to ignite (?) ! The first Blacksmith to set up there in the 1840s-'50s wanted to be close to where the Teamsters were outspanning their Bullocks to drink at the Rocky Ponds Creek. These days I have an extensive Fire-hose collection..., having thrown a total of $17,000 at components on my Fireplan since 2018, including Water trucked in & put through the Pumps... The joke of it all being that 6 weeks ago I caught and stopped a Spotfire, 100 yards from my Boundary..., using the old 16-litre Firefighting Backpack which lives in my Subaru Forester...; there was no time to go back home and start Pumps and play with Layflat Hoses...(!). It's a good thing your local Firies had flagged your place as being their Most Likely Problem, and had "Wargamed" their response ahead of time... Opening a smouldering smoking Coachbuilding Workshop, connected into the built-up Shopfronts of the Main Street...; that's the kind of scenario to worry the most competant of Firefighters. My son attended his first SCBA Structural Fire a fortnight ago, an old Farmhouse, empty since the landholder's mother expired at widowhood's end..., visible from the Highway, and apparently having had a Squatter insitu. You were extremely very highly fortunate to emerge from that Learning Experience. Dust is dangerous stuff... Such is life, Have a good one... Stay safe. ;-p Ciao !

[@thom3124]

Thanks for all the videos in 2024. Take care.

[@gilengel3505]

Some times, you just know God intervenes. Have a happy new year.

[@dianeengel4155]

True and same to you.

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

I don't always follow everything in these videos, especially when it comes to dimensions and angles. That's the case here with that 25° versus 35° thing. If I run true to form then I'll have fun making sense of it in a later video. So pleased to know Main Street didn't burn down. Kudos to the Fire Department; they earned their rations that day.

[@Renville80]

An early office building in my town burned to the ground a good decade before Dave's fire. It is believed that a motor in one of the air handling units in the larger of the two antique malls on the ground floor failed and caught fire. Building was old enough the floors and interior walls were wood, and the only remnant was the outer walls of granite (which came down a few days later for safety reasons). I won't forget the devastated look on the mall owner's face as she surveyed the damage a few days later. The only thing her husband was able to salvage from the remnants was a flagpole base that was sitting in one of the windows. I think only a handful of businesses in that building continued at other locations (neither antique mall reopened). A new office building now sits in its place but it's not the same.

[@andrepienaar6459]

Thank you Lord!!

[@shubus]

This brings to mind smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, Dave.

[@michael-dm2bv]

the audio change is surreal🎉🎉

[@66moonraker]

That was a slice of life Dave. What a lesson in awareness. How long after the fire before you were able to carry on your work? I expect that you now have fire extinguishers in strategic places, but I've never spotted one in your videos.