Three automotive businesses in Theodore were destroyed by an early-morning fire in August 2009, leaving their owner to assess the loss of enterprises he had spent years building.
Fat Boyz Choppers, American Fleet Service and Candy City Paint and Body were all damaged beyond repair, according to the initial report. No injuries were reported.
Investigators examined a difficult scene
Mobile Fire-Rescue said the buildings contained numerous automotive chemicals, complicating efforts to determine the fire’s cause. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was asked to assist because it had specialized tools for that type of investigation.
During the investigation, Mobile Police also reported that a candy-green 1998 or 1999 Ford Crown Victoria was missing from Candy City Paint and Body. The report did not establish a connection between the missing vehicle and the fire.
A major loss for a local owner
Owner Freddie Goodman said he had spent nearly a decade building Fat Boyz Choppers and American Fleet Service. The fire destroyed those businesses along with the neighboring paint-and-body shop.
This account reflects the information released during the initial August 2009 response. It does not state a final determination of the fire’s cause, the outcome of the vehicle investigation or the businesses’ later recovery.