Atlas Twp.- On the side of Jim Betzing’s red 1957 Chevy Sedan Delivery are the words ‘Rare Breed,? fitting because he says the classic car is one of only 30 in the country.
On Feb. 19, Betzing’s unique vehicle was saved from extinction, as he and kind passersby pushed it out of his garage, which was being consumed by fire.
About 1:20 p.m. that afternoon, Betzing was on his bedroom computer at his home at 10476 Horton Road when he noticed his dog, a Rottweiler named Zoe, was behaving strangely.
‘She was acting real weird, running in and out of the bedroom,? said Betzing, who lives alone with the dog.
‘I got up and the house was filled with smoke. Thank God for the dog. I didn’t know if I could make it out, there was so much smoke.?
He called 9-1-1 from his cell phone, grabbed Zoe and escaped out a back door.
The fire was coming from the garage, where the sedan was parked. He couldn’t find his keys, but he found great assistance from some passersby, two women and a man whose names he doesn’t know. They helped him save the mint condition Chevy he has owned for 20 years, as well as his Harley Davidson motorcycle, before firefighters from the Atlas Township Fire Department arrived. Brandon and Groveland firefighters also responded.
Atlas Fire Lieutenant Roger Davis said the fire was extinguished in about 40 minutes, but crews remained on scene until about 3 p.m. He estimated damages at $40,000 for the structure and $10,000 for the contents.
‘Luckily, he was home,? Davis said. ‘Thank God he got the car and motorcycle out.?
The cause of the fire has not been determined, but is not suspicious.
As Betzing gazed at the smoking ruins of his garage Friday, a neighbor approached and hugged him. Betzing reassured him he was all right.
‘My blood pressure is sky high, my heart’s going like crazy, but I’m OK, the dog’s OK, and I saved the hot rod and Harley.?