Story Published: Apr 24, 2007 at 5:11 PM PDT
The investigation into what caused the blaze is on hold but the people behind the business are determined to move on.
Long time employees showed up to work bright and early Monday morning.
Employee Brad Springsteel says, "I'm here to see if I can help out so we can get this place going so we can get back to work. It is devastating for all of us it is the livelihood for our families."
At the height of busy season, owner, Robert Gheen also wants to get back to work. His grandfather started the farm irrigation manufacturing company more than 70 years ago. Gheen says, "take what you have left and try to salvage that try and keep your business alive as best you can."
The fire was spotted about 9:30 Friday night, you could see the flames and smoke miles away as it consumed Gheen Irrigation Works' main building. Neighboring homes were evacuated while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
For now the Eugene Fire Department is waiting on the insurance company who will be paying to bring in heavy equipment to move much of the remaining structure to pin point how and where the fire started.
Three days later while the wreckage still smolders, there are salvigable materials and standing buildings, giving the employees and the owner, hope.
E-WEB crews are trying to safely restore electricity so some work can resume.
Employee Billy Gajda says, "we will go retrieve those parts clean them up and send then out."
While the business may look down for the count, those at Gheen's Irrigation Works are grateful for what they do have. "You can replace pieces but you can't replace people," Gheen explains.
No one was injured in the blaze.
Today many of the employees filed unemployment papers, at this point there's no idea when the business will be back to speed.
Damage to Gheen Irrigation Works is estimated at about five million dollars.