Neil Young's car burned in fire
Reprints
Neil's Garage, Neil Young's virtual storehouse for information about his activities, career and interests, is open for business as usual.
Sadly, Mr. Young's warehouse, a very real space in San Carlos, Calif., in which the rocker stored equipment, memorabilia and a hybrid car he's been developing, was the site of a recent fire that caused an estimated $1.1 million in damage to the building and contents.
Adding to the sting is that the fire appears to have started in a 1959 Lincoln Continental that Mr. Young had converted to run on batteries and a biodiesel-powered generator as part of an effort to demonstrate alternative energy technologies. In a statement, Mr. Young said the fire appeared to have been caused by a wall charging system for the LincVolt that had not been fully tested and should not have been left unattended.
The fire, which broke out early in the morning of Nov. 9, caused an estimated $850,000 in damage to the contents of the warehouse, including extensive damage to the LincVolt. Damage to the building was estimated at $250,000.
Firefighters reportedly saved at least 70% of the contents of the warehouse, including five other classic cars.
In the statement, Mr. Young thanked the Belmont-San Carlos Fire Department and said efforts to rebuild the LincVolt were under way. He also waxed philosophical, quoting the Japanese poet and samurai Masahide: “Barn's burnt down. Now I can see the moon.”
