BASEMENT OF THE WEEK

**CHARLIE VAN FLEET** · 04-29-2010, 08:50 PM

HEY ALL

work is killer and can't wait for april to end. as some one stated--busier then a one legged man in an ass kicking contest..love that one
here's a basement from today. love the supports and how about the fire damage.
can i call the fire department or the city gov to find out the history and cause of such fire

cvf

Similar Threads:

**Billy Stephens** · 04-29-2010, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by CHARLIE VAN FLEET

can i call the fire department or the city gov to find out the history and cause of such fire

cvf

.
Charlie,

You could advise Your Client to obtain a CLUE Report on the Property.
.
Home buyers haunted by past owners' claims
.
.

**Steve Frederickson** · 04-30-2010, 03:52 AM

Originally Posted by Billy Stephens

.
Charlie,

You could advise Your Client to obtain a CLUE Report on the Property.
.
Home buyers haunted by past owners' claims
.
.

I've been looking for a way to tactfully tell my clients to get a clue

Edward Olsoe · 05-05-2010, 07:05 PM

smokin'!

**John Kogel** · 05-05-2010, 07:25 PM

Yeah, that's an ass-kicker alright.

Cause of fire? The only real fuel source would be the furnace, I think. So it could have been a gas leak, and lucky that house is still in one piece.

**Bruce Ramsey** · 05-06-2010, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by John Kogel

Cause of fire? The only real fuel source would be the furnace, I think.

The only fuel source? Really?

- Washer/Dryer in basement with lint everywhere.
- Old oil based paints
- Motor oil and gas cans for yard equipment
- Grinding wheel in home shop
- Sawdust from wood shop
- stacks of magzines and newspaper
- stored wicker chairs or cane seat chairs

I would bet there is lots of fuel in a typical basement. Sources of ignition are fewer.

**John Kogel** · 05-06-2010, 09:45 PM

Originally Posted by Bruce Ramsey

The only fuel source? Really?

- Washer/Dryer in basement with lint everywhere.
- Old oil based paints
- Motor oil and gas cans for yard equipment
- Grinding wheel in home shop
- Sawdust from wood shop
- stacks of magzines and newspaper
- stored wicker chairs or cane seat chairs

I would bet there is lots of fuel in a typical basement. Sources of ignition are fewer.

OK, he called it a basement but I see a crawlspace with some furnace ductwork.

**CHARLIE VAN FLEET** · 05-07-2010, 05:36 AM

john

it was a combo. walk around basement with furnace and water heating surrounded by crawl space.lots of those in colorado. house was built in 1905

cvf

**Arie Neumann** · 05-07-2010, 07:35 AM

I'm less concerned right now with the cause of the fire and more concerned with the condition of the joists, any wiring in the area, any flooring, supports etc. So, why or what caused the fire is fine to know, I would not waste time on trying to hunt down the cause but as an inspector i'm focused on the current conditions. The fact that fire damage is visible (i.e., never repaired) would worry me about this seller. Like, we had a fire and we never had it inspected, repaired, fixed (even painted to cover up...). Big BIG red flag. I would ask the owner if they know what happened, if the prev. owner, or prev. inspector (ask for the report they got when they bought the house). Also i would add in my report that the area of fire damage needs to be inspected by a licensed prof. dealing in home restoration/fire/flood damage specialists, repaired and proof provided that the strucrure is now safe and any damage from the fire has been repaired by them. BTW, in seeing the picture of the wonderful support system .... I'm starting to think this house has more secrets, none of them good. MHO. arie.

Rod Cicotte · 05-07-2010, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by CHARLIE VAN FLEET

HEY ALL

work is killer and can't wait for april to end. as some one stated--busier then a one legged man in an ass kicking contest..love that one
here's a basement from today. love the supports and how about the fire damage.
can i call the fire department or the city gov to find out the history and cause of such fire

cvf

Looks like repurposed lumber from another building, maybe? The last photo two clean areas where something, 2x4?, shielded it from the previous building's fire. People saving a buck is my guess.

Rod

**Wayne Carlisle** · 05-07-2010, 08:25 AM

Is that a tree stump in the 3rd picture being used as a pier?

**Arie Neumann** · 05-07-2010, 09:28 AM

Good eye. Sure looks like a tree stump. I'm starting to think the owner started this fire to roast some hot dogs or to warm the house (radiant floor heating...). I'm really starting to love this house and the creativity of the owner or whatever it was he hired to "fix the place up a bit". Waw!! I could be wrong. not.

**CHARLIE VAN FLEET** · 05-07-2010, 12:36 PM

all

that is a tree stump and a dam good one. oak i think because it would have to be hard wood. still waiting for fire depart to tell us when fire was and cause. buyer flew the coup. structural repairs 20k. not one permit pulled by seller aka rip artist. buyer was trying to beat the 4/30 deadline and get his $8k. told him WAIT A MINUTE--THIS HOUSE HAS SOME SERIOUS ISSUES. the remodeler also covered over the attic scuttlehole so no access to attic. and roof ridge was sagging.

you know guys remember we are their to serve our client not the real escare agent, and yes that means scare.

client emailed me and said thanks and look for his call to inspect his new home. and that he was going to take his time this time and screw the $8k

this is why i love being a home inspector

cvf