Durham fire damages van, leaves downtown business smoky

Fire damaged a garage and left an odor of smoke in the showroom of a downtown business Saturday.

Firefighters responded to Accent Hardwood Flooring, 601 Foster St., around 7:04 a.m. to find heavy black smoke rolling from the single-story building. A work van engulfed in flames was found in the garage, said Deputy Fire Chief Chris Iannuzzi.

Owner Genia Smith founded the business, located near the Durham Farmer’s Market and the Durham Athletic Park, in 1988, according to a website.

Although firefighters extinguished the flames within 20 minutes, the van was a total loss, Iannuzzi said. The garage, several work vans and a boat also suffered heavy smoke and heat damage, he said. Smoke damage to the showroom was minor, he said.

No one was injured in the fire, which Iannuzzi said was accidental and caused by the van.

Staff writer Tammy Grubb

This story was originally published August 1, 2015 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Durham fire damages van, leaves downtown business smoky."