A week after a fire breaks out, it's business as usual at a Kearney company.  It seems a 40 year old sprinkler system saved the day, an investment that paid off big time. 

From the outside, nothing seems different about Holmes Heating and Plumbing Supply. But, once you step inside, the evidence of an electrical fire is all too clear.

Chuck Prochaska, the general manager, says "It went up the wall and followed over on the ceiling. There are four sprinkler heads in the office where the fire started.   All four of those went off."

Sprinklers llining the hallway went off too. By the time firefighters arrived, the fire was out.   The scene was much different than the blaze that broke out at Tru Value in May.

Prochaska says "Had we not had the sprinkler systems, it would have been another Tru Vale fire. The total building would be up in flames.   We'd have been out of business."

There was some damage, mostly to the offices. 

"Some places we had up to four inches of water in the building," says Prochaska.

Prochaska says a full on fire would have added up to much worse. 

"We would have been looking at a $2 million loss easy and estimates now are between 100 and $150,000," says Prochaska.

No employees are hammering away at renovations.  They're ripping out carpeting and insulation.

Jeff Johnson, the V.P. of Sales and Marketing, says "Today I'm taking down walls that have been burnt.  That's what I've been doing all week 'cause i can't do my normal job, so we're helping with demolition."

Board by board, Holmes Heating and Plumbing supply is gradually getting as good as new. 

"Maybe three weeks.   We can hope," says Prochaska.

Prochaska says the water damage wiped out $25,000 worth of merchandise.  Contractors will be one scene Monday to finish up the renovations.