When smoke arose from Encore RV’s weld shop around 2:30 a.m. Nov. 22, the Elkhart, Indiana, community sprang into action.
According to Encore RV founder Rich Schnippel, the Elkhart City Fire Department was on the scene within eight minutes. No one was in the building at the time. However, the fire completely destroyed the weld shop and the production and office areas obtained severe smoke and soot damage.
The fire will force Encore RV to work out of a temporary building. Schnippel said he expects operations to resume in late December or early January.
“(I am) so very thankful for the Elkhart City Fire Department and all the people that responded to this fire,” Schnippel said, “and the gentleman who called in the fire.”
Schnippel said the fire damaged 11 RVs and two frames. Restoration work on them will begin at the temporary building.
The RVs were in various production stages. Schnippel said some were base chassis, some had interior walls and some had interior portions built. Three RVs were awaiting final touches to be complete.
Schnippel said suppliers provided aid in moving items and will hold shipments until Encore RV is settled. He said other manufacturers also offered support, even offering manufacturing space.
He said, “We have had three customers that own our trailers that have volunteered to come up and work.”
Employees arrived at the scene to help. Schnippel said he and his company partner made it a priority to keep their staff employed.
“Everybody stays employed,” he said. “We are paying people. It is the holidays; we will find something for them to do. Everybody is keeping their jobs.”
While the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Schnippel said, “We are touched by the outpouring of support that we have received. … It’s times like these that you truly come to appreciate living and working in a community like Elkhart, Indiana.”
