Shop fire erupts in Hildebran, owner risks life to save motorcycle

When Ian Atkin arrived to find his business, Ziptied Performance in Hildebran, consumed by flames around midnight on Jan. 3, he rushed into the burning building, attempting to save his employee’s new Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R 636 motorcycle.

Atkin said he first noticed the fire when he happened to check the property’s security cameras. When he noticed a glow on the embankment and embers floating across the camera’s view, he wasted no time getting on the move.

“(I) immediately realized what it was, took off out the door, and we all know the rest,” Atkin said. Part-time employee Neo Morrow, who was at Atkin’s home at the time, rushed out with him.

“I don’t know why, but I ran in,” Atkin said. “I guess because where the wood (is) around the garage doors, I saw fire, and the only thing that crossed my mind was ‘That thing’s got a full tank of gas sitting right there at it.’ So, I grabbed (the motorcycle) and started pushing it across the building. I dropped it a couple of times and I made it to right there.”

He pointed to the closest end of the building, where a doorless garage opening framed several blackened bikes, charred motorcycle parts, and caved-in roofing.

Atkin said Morrow saw him take the motorcycle past a doorway, then became concerned when smoke began pouring from the same area.

After entering the burning building, he found the owner collapsed from smoke inhalation. He helped Atkin to his feet by his hoodie.

“He was stumbling as he was walking out,” Morrow said. “I was pulling him.”

“I don’t even remember him pulling me out,” Atkin said. “I remember getting the bike over there, setting the bike down, and just doing that number.” He imitated collapsing. “Next thing I remember, I’m out here.”

He said firefighters treated him and advised that he would be coughing for a few days but should be fine.

According to Atkin, the fire began on the side farthest from U.S. 70 and crept along the building. Oil spread across the parking lot, catching fire and damaging some cars downhill.

Burke County Emergency Communications Center received the 911 call at approximately 12:11 a.m., Chief Fire Marshal Robert Bishop said.

“The first arriving fire unit confirmed active fire conditions with heavy fire through the roof of the structure in a single-story commercial building,” Bishop stated. “Firefighters gained control of the fire and requested the Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office to investigate the origin and cause of the fire.”

Burke County Emergency Management also dispatched due to the release of motor oil on the ground and roadway, which they counteracted by placing sand across the street and highway.

There were no firefighter injuries reported, and all agencies cleared the scene at approximately 6 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3.

In the aftermath of the fire, five motorcycles and five cars were destroyed and four more cars in the parking lot were damaged, according to a GoFundMe that Atkin posted. The post said nine other vehicles had little to no damage.

“We have to wait on insurance,” Atkin said. “We literally can’t do anything until they say ‘Yes, you can start cleaning up’ or ‘No, we’re going to have a company come in.’ We were told not to touch anything as of right now.”

Atkin set up the GoFundMe to raise $11,000 to assist him and his employees with bills until they can find other jobs.

“The main goal was $250K,” Atkin said. “It’s set up in staggered increments. The goal right now is $11,000 … If we get the $250K goal, I have plans to try to help customers as best I can. I don’t care about me. I can find a job and cover my bills, but I’m more concerned with the customers who didn’t have insurance on their vehicles and lost a lot of parts. The main thing I’m after is trying to help them recoup.”

He clarified that the fire marshal did release the scene back to him, so customers with undamaged cars can come pick them up.

“I have a friend who owns a local performance shop that has offered for me to use his shop,” Atkin said. “Granted, I don’t have any tools anymore. I don’t have any equipment, but he has offered his services to help me, to let me continue work.”

Although Ziptied Performance opened in August 2021, Atkin moved nearby just last year. He said the house was small, so he stored clothes, childhood photos, his son’s toys, and most other items that weren’t necessary for day-to-day life in the shop.

Stacked in the back of his car, tubs filled with ash-coated Nerf guns and files filled the space — remnants of the office he used for storage. A large piece of art with minimal damage leaned against the side of the vehicle.

“My dad’s painting survived,” Atkin said. He lifted the art, which had a little ash across the top. “That was the only painting of his that survived, that he gave me over the years.”

As for employee and owner of the destroyed Kawasaki, Skyler Dupuis, and Morrow, they are looking for employment in the interim until Atkin can get the business sorted.

“I’ve been looking for some part-time stuff,” Dupuis said. “Majority night shift, so that I can use the day over here to help. That’s pretty much it. I’ve got bills to pay, so I have to.”

The origin and cause of the fire are still under investigation by the Burke County Fire Marshal’s Office.

The GoFundMe for Ziptied Performance is at gofundme.com/f/help-ziptied-performance-and-employees-rise-again. As of Friday, over $3,200 had been raised.