Mysterious blazes in YC

The April Fools Day fire that destroyed his Yuba City business was anything but a joke for owner Matt Cook.

"It's terrible. I don't know what else to say," Cook said as he stood with family members Tuesday outside the remains of Line-X, 1332 Colusa Highway, which sells spray-on truck bed liners.

Yuba City Fire Chief Marc Boomgaarden said there's no immediate evidence to suggest the fire was connected to a nearby blaze that heavily damaged another truck accessory business about 20 minutes later. The first fire started Tuesday just before 1 a.m.

Within minutes of arriving at Line-X, which was already engulfed, firefighters were called to Kustom Truck, 921 N. George Washington Boulevard, about 2 miles away.

Damage at Kustom Truck, which sells truck and auto accessories, was estimated at $200,000.

Damage to the building that contained Line-X, as well as American Equipment Rentals, is $400,000, including contents, said Boomgaarden.

American Equipment Rentals had mostly smoke damage, said Bill Fuller, the Fire Department's administrative analyst.

Federal Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigators were at Line-X late Tuesday morning, but that does not mean foul play is suspected, said Boomgaarden.

"We asked for help because we had two significant commercial fires," said Boomgaarden, but added the fires could be reclassified later as suspicious.

Fuller said it may be a few days before investigators determine what caused the two fires.

Herbert Whitaker, who owns Kustom Truck, could not be reached for comment. Wes Allen, who owns the building, did not return a call.

Cook did not speculate on what caused the destruction of his 9-year-old business.

"I don't have a clue," he said.

Luckily, containers of the hazardous chemicals used to spray truck beds did not catch fire or explode inside Line-X, said Boomgaarden.

Firefighters worked successfully to save The Hose Shop, a neighboring business about 25 feet to the west.

Firefighters from Sutter County, Linda, Olivehurst and Marysville were on their way to help with the Line-X fire but were redirected to George Washington Boulevard when the second fire was reported at 1:03 a.m.

Cook said he's not quitting.

"My plan is to reopen. I've done business here for nine years, and I don't want to give up now," he said.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Rob Young at 749-4710 or at ryoung@appealdemocrat. com.