By Jack Carley
Staff Writer

Fire caused an estimated $350,000 in damage at F & F Automotive Inc. on Weaver Street last Thursday, November 8, according to the Carrboro Fire Department.

Fire trucks arrived at the building around 7 p.m. to find that a car inside the building was ablaze and fire was spreading through the building. No injuries were reported.

Four fire engines and 21 firefighters had the fire under control in about ten minutes while Carrboro police directed traffic.

Owner Cleveland “Cleve” Fogleman said four cars were damaged along with most of the shop. He said the fire started while an employee was working on a van and that a gas fire spread to the building and other cars.

Fogleman said he doesn’t know what will happen now. “We’re in limbo,” he said. But he was resolute: “We’ve got problems, but we’re working through ‘em.”

Fogleman opened his first shop in Carrboro in 1962 before moving to Chapel Hill for a time. But F&F has been at its Weaver Street location since 1972.

He said he has had many people offer to help out: “It’s really been remarkable how many people have come out to help.” He said he was grateful to the fire department and community for the help he’s received.