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Cause of bedding fire at Bed, Bath & Beyond remains a mystery

By Howard B. Owens

Investigators are still trying determine what caused a fire that started in the bedding department of Bed, Bath & Beyond late Monday afternoon.

The fire caused extensive damage to the fixtures and inventory in the northeast corner of the store.

Flames reached floor to ceiling.

The Sheriff's Office is in charge of the investigation.

Chief Deputy Jerome Brewster said investigators have interviewed employees and customers.

Physical material in the store has also been examined for any clues as to the cause of the fire.

Previously: Firefighters battle flames and cold during fire at Bed, Bath & Beyond

Doug Yeomans

Remember what I said about Kohl's moving in? I said one of those stores had to fail in order for kohl's to survive. It happened way sooner than I thought it would.

Jan 30, 2014, 2:34pm Permalink
Billie Owens

Bed Bath & Beyond is not going to "fail" because of this fire, although it is going to lose a lot of money as a result of it. The chain has been a consistent success story and that's not by happenstance.

Jan 30, 2014, 2:45pm Permalink
bud prevost

Well, I'd be curious to find out where this location ranks in performance compared to other BB & B locations. It wouldn't shock me if it was in the lower end.

Jan 30, 2014, 6:05pm Permalink
Billie Owens

I'm not sure of its ranking, Bud, but I do know that the organization's marketing strategists have a long-term vision for each store. This setback for a chain this size is a business loss but one that can be overcome. Stock holders are not likely to abandon ship because of a mishap in WNY.

Jan 30, 2014, 6:54pm Permalink
Jeff Allen

Does anyone know if retail chains do fire sales of damaged merchandise anymore? My guess is that large corporations find it a hassle and write the stuff off. Too bad because a nice Calphalon pan with some smoke and water damage dirt cheap sounds good to

Jan 30, 2014, 8:06pm Permalink
Billie Owens

How many stores has BBB shuttered vs. Lowe's? All marketing strategists are not the same and neither are the all the chain stores.

Jan 31, 2014, 10:14am Permalink
Mark Brudz

Apparently our exchange got lost when Howard moved the server Jeff

Major retailers use salvage/clearance companies Their insurance companies pretty much prevent direct sales of damaged goods from flood or fire. There are a lot of reasons for this. I dealt with a fire Damaged Kmart store when I worked in KMart's Design & Construction department, We were told frankly that direct sale of fire damaged merchandize could affect the companies insurance payout.

Jan 31, 2014, 10:46am Permalink
Mark Brudz

Lowes over expanded on the entire east coast a few years back, this caused several Lowes Store closings and consolidations. Bed Bath & Beyond is not following the same model

Jan 31, 2014, 10:54am Permalink

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