March 1, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (SH2005-13) FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION R. Steve Huffman Public Information Officer (251) 208-5806/Fax: (251) 208-5813 E-Mail: huffman@cityofmobile.org MOBILE ORTHODONTIST OFFICE DESTROYED BY FIRE Mobile Firefighters were dispatched to a building fire, located at 3210 Old Shell Road, early Tuesday morning, March 1, 2005. The call was received from the businesses Alarm Company at approximately 4:00 a.m. First firefighters arrived at approximately 4:06 a.m. and reported heavy fire and smoke coming from the roof and lower windows of the 1 1/2 story wood frame structure. Firefighters called for a 2nd alarm assignment upon arrival and because the upper floor had already began to collapse they were unable to fight the fire inside the structure and had to make their attack from the outside. The majority of the fire was knocked down at approximately 5:30 a.m. but firefighters remained on the scene until approximately 10:30 a.m. extinguishing hot spots. Firefighters with the assistance of Mobile Police closed Old Shell Road from Sydney Phillips Lane to Durant Street in front of Phillips Preparatory School but there was little to no disruption of school traffic. The building is owned and occupied by Dr. Todd M. Bennett, DDS, MPS, PC and he had insurance. The fire appears to have started on the upper floor of the structure and the cause of the fire remains under investigation but Mobile Fire Investigators say that all indications point to an accidental fire. The building is a total loss no damage estimate is available but most likely will be in the 100's of thousands. Engines 12, 15, 23, truck 10, rescue 18 and District 3 Chief Alex Trenier responded on the 1st Alarm assignment. Engines 1, 8, 18, truck 17, rescue 1 and District 2 Chief Johnny Morris responded on the 2nd Alarm assignment. ###