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player ready...A Hammond attorney whose office was torched by arson early Tuesday wants people to know he’s still in business.
Randy Godshalk said Tuesday all he needs is “a table and phone set up” in which to do his work. So he and his employees did exactly that and will temporarily work from an office two doors away while his office, 7127 Indianapolis Blvd. in the city’s Woodmar section, is being rebuilt.
“The phone number transferred, and we’re two doors down (at Cantrell and Fontanez Law Offices) until we get everything cleaned up,” Godshalk said. “You can’t keep me down. I’m still taking calls and showing up in court.”
The Hammond Fire Department received a call about the fire in the building around 12:10 a.m. Tuesday, Hammond Fire Chief Inspector Mike Opinker said. The fire, Opinker said, “was obviously an arson” and caused a considerable amount of damage.
A second business, the Women’s Care Center, endured extensive smoke damage but remained intact, Opinker said. It was closed Tuesday.
“The guys stayed out there for a couple hours to make sure (the fire) was out, and they did a great job in saving the building itself,” Opinker said. “But there’s considerable fire damage to the law office.”
Godshalk said fire officials told him whoever started the fire emptied his filing cabinets, put the files in a pile and ignited them. Nothing else was done.
“They stole nothing – they left computers, TVs, money that was there. They just ransacked the office and set the files on fire,” he said.
While Godshalk has “no idea” who could’ve done it, he’s hoping recently installed security cameras on businesses in the area will provide police with good images. Seeing who did it won’t necessarily take away the hurt, however.
“I’ve been in that office since 2000, so it’s upsetting. There was a lot of personal property destroyed, including several art pieces people created for me,” Godshalk said. “Still, it’s just a little setback, a blip.”
No injuries were reported during the fire, Opinker said. Anyone with information on the arson should contact the Hammond Police Department at 219-853-6544.
Michelle L. Quinn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.