The office cleaning service placed refuse in the freight elevator which later burst in flames, causing smoke to travel up the elevator shaft and consequently into 700 offices on six floors and a 40,000 square foot theatre. However, as the saying goes, "The show must go on." Initial cleaning of the theatre walls, lobby entrance and carpet was quickly carried out, allowing the performances to go on as scheduled and reducing the exposure for loss of income, which delighted the insurance company. As an historical landmark in San Diego, it became necessary to restore the murals and gold leaf painting throughout the theatre and to update the complete structure to the new building code for which the insured had purchased additional coverage. This small fire resulted in almost two million dollars of damage.
The Northridge earthquake damaged a Homewners' Association, to which the insurance company responded with a $400,000 estimate of repairs. R.P.A. was called to review the scope of damage. After much discussion and additional details of damage presented by RPA the claim was finally resolved for $1.2 Million.
Alameda Produce Market is one of the main fruit and vegetable distribution centers. When a fire erupted, destroying six stores and the office above, it caused a major upheaval of the surrounding units. It was essential that the tenants affected by the fire be relocated and the area cleaned of debris. RPA responded quickly and had prepared a detailed scope of repairs in the amount of $1.5 million by the time the insurance company adjuster arrived at the scene several days later. A substantial payment was the response to that scope of work, allowing construction to commence quickly, finally resulting in a settlement price for the completion of the work.
Installation of the ornate entry doors completed the final touch to this magnificent home. Five hours later flames burst through the roof. Many thousands of gallons of water were used to extinguish the fire. RPA was called to the scene the following day and immediately had the saturated walls opened up to ensure that any development of mold be avoided. The insurance company's scope required that many of the improvements be restored and reconditioned. While this is a normally acceptable repair method, in this instance it was not. This was a newly built home and needed to be so again. Restored, cleaned, refurbished did not fit that equation. Full restitution was finally agreed based upon RPA's presentation.