Without warning, fire can destroy a business, as Interstate Batteries of Bismarck discovered on Jan. 30, 2004, when its building, the vast majority of its contents, and two delivery trucks less than 1 year old were destroyed.

And what the fire didn't destroy was finished off by the more than 1 million gallons of water used to put out the blaze.

Approximately 300 batteries and one delivery truck on an out-of-town route were salvaged from the original Interstate Batteries business, which had completed a remodeling project six months before the fire.

Despite the devastating loss, Interstate Batteries reopened for business at its pre-fire location at the intersection of Ninth Street and Main Avenue in Bismarck on Feb. 1.

"The loud, obnoxious Interstate Green color represents a strong, enduring and caring company," said store manager Hugh McIntyre, who sang praises for the way the firm's employees pulled together to continue business and rebuild following the fire.

Today, the storefront, with big windows, snow-white walls and Interstate Green trim, beckons customers to walk through its doors and take a peek inside the uncluttered showroom. A new customer would never know there was a fire. However, continuing business and rebuilding after the fire was a yearlong process.

McIntyre said he will never forget the telephone call he received at 5 a.m. Jan. 30, telling him that Interstate Batteries was on fire.

"Until a person experiences a fire like this, you can't understand the many emotions and problems fire generates," McIntyre said. "This is the kind of event where a business discovers its loyal employees, customers and friends."

McIntyre said the employees of Interstate Batteries worked long hours together, even using personal vehicles to assist during the relocation process.

By noon the day after the fire, Interstate Batteries had secured a temporary location on Broadway while they searched for a suitable warehouse with service bays and an area for displaying new merchandise.

The wholesale side of business was under way by the Monday following the fire as Interstate Batteries had immediately borrowed two delivery trucks, one from Fargo and another from Minneapolis, which arrived fully loaded with inventory.

After four days, Interstate Batteries secured a short-term lease with Steve Herman, owner of AAction Movers, to rent the former River City building at 1850 E. Bismarck Expressway.

"The customers were great," said McIntyre, advising that despite losing 10 days of business on the retail side, total sales increased 10 percent last year, a result of loyal customer support and a growing customer base.

Once established in the temporary location, rebuilding became a priority.

"We initially anticipated moving to north Bismarck due to the new commercial businesses under construction or planning to be constructed there," McIntyre said. "But after careful consideration, we decided to rebuild at the former location."

The decision to stay downtown came partly because Interstate Batteries owned the lot, which it had purchased, along with the original building, about four years prior to the fire.

"The convenience of the location was another big thing," said McIntyre, noting that due to the central location, customers from most areas of Bismarck and Mandan can travel to Interstate Batteries in less than 10 minutes.

The Ninth Street and Main site sits just outside Bismarck's Renaissance Zone, and did not qualify for the special tax incentives. But that did not dissuade Interstate Batteries, and the company began rebuilding in earnest.

The new Interstate Batteries building was constructed on the existing foundation, which survived the fire, and the existing sewer and water lines were reused.

McIntyre said several changes were incorporated into the plans for the new building.

The walls of the new building were constructed 5 feet higher than those of the original structure, allowing space for a second floor to be incorporated if more office space is needed in the storefront area, and providing expanded room for inventory in the shop area.

The higher ceilings also allow semis, RVs, and other large vehicles to drive directly into the shop bay for servicing - Interstate Batteries installs batteries free of charge for customers.

The storefront area also was modified, moving the business offices to the center of the building and using tall windows on the Main Avenue side to display a wide selection of batteries.

"Many people do not realize we sell more than vehicle and boat batteries, but that we sell batteries for almost any need imaginable, including wristwatches, camcorders and cellular phones," McIntyre said.

The business offices were redesigned to a central location in the building, separating the shop area from the retail area.

"The new design keeps the retail area cleaner and more open than it was in the old building," said McIntyre.

McIntyre said a date has not been set for the grand reopening of Interstate Batteries, but its doors are open and he anticipates the grand reopening will take place during the next four to six weeks.