Heater malfunction nearly burns down Pryor music store, owner rebuilding with community support

A Pryor music store owner is picking up the pieces after a heater malfunction caused thousands of dollars in damage—just six months after opening.

John Means, owner of The Rock Shop, returned from a weekend trip in March—his 50th birthday weekend—to find his store nearly destroyed by heat.

“I came back to the shop on Tuesday and found that the heater had been running all weekend, nonstop,” John said. “It was like a furnace blast of heat that literally took my breath out of me.”

John estimates it reached over 180 degrees inside.

The extreme heat melted plastic, warped guitars, and ruined electronics. He believes the building was just hours away from catching fire.

“I really believe that if I was just another hour or two away, this whole building would have burned down,” he said.

The total loss was nearly $12,000, including 25 guitars, basses, ukuleles, apparel, and electronics.

But when John filed a claim with his insurance provider, it was denied. 

The reason? An exemption for “extreme temperatures.”

“This is what insurance is for,” he said. “Unavoidable, catastrophic occurrences. That’s what happened here.”

Despite the setback, John is slowly rebuilding—bringing in new guitars and merchandise as money allows. He’s also filed a request for assistance with the Oklahoma Tax Commission and is seeking legal counsel.

Still, John says he’s not giving up.

“Every day I get to come in here and listen to punk rock and work on guitars. It’s a blessing.”

The Rock Shop remains open in Pryor, and community members continue to stop by to show support.