12/12/2022
Everything can be replaced, Everyone cannot. 5 am on Sunday December 11 we received a call from our alarm company that our business, Ed’s Auto Body & Repair, Inc. on Mechanic Street triggered a fire alarm. Ed went to the shop and discovered several firetrucks & cruisers along with an amazing staff of professionals. The building was in flames. Last year at the request of the EFD we installed an expensive commercial fire alarm system. This allowed 911 to dispatch an incredible team the instant the system activated and thus saved part of the building! Many thanks to Captain Constantine for coordinating this. Thank you to the EPD for all their efforts in blocking off the streets for our community’s safety. Sincerest apologies to anyone inconvenienced by the closing of part of The Manhan Rail Trail directly behind the shop. It was for your own safety. We would like to thank Captain O’Leary and Chief Norris for leading in an incredible team of firefighters. Shout out to our nephew Drew who gives the best hugs! Thankfully this well-trained department noticed a live electrical wire that burnt and fell on the hydrant across the street. We shutter to think of the consequences. A great effort had to be made to connect to another fire hydrant further up the road on Liberty Street. Kudos to the Easthampton Fire Department, the Easthampton Community Emergency Response team, Northampton Fire Rescue, Southampton Fire, Barnes Air National Guard, Holyoke Fire, Westover Air Base and South Hadley Fire District #1 for doing what you do best! Thank you to our family, our employees, our friends, and customers (who have trusted us for more than 44 years) for the outpouring of support via hugs, handshakes, texts, email, messenger and Facebook. A very special thank you to Jack, our teenage neighbor, who baked and delivered warm chocolate chip cookies. It was the first time we smiled all day. Well done young man!
It’s going to be a tough road ahead. Please be assured we are already working on a plan for current and scheduled customers. You are not alone. At this point we are not allowed in the shop to assess customer’s vehicles. Trust us, you will be notified the moment we know. If you need to speak to Ed directly, please call the shop (413) 527-7622 and your call will be routed to his cell phone. He will make every effort to get back to you as soon as he possibly can. Or you can send a text to Joann at 413-210-0104. Please identify yourself. Thank you for your patience as we try to navigate in unfamiliar waters. Have a wonderful Holiday Season! Together we are strong and we will get through this. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all for keeping everyone safe. That’s what really matters! With deep appreciation… Ed & Joann
