Fire rips through Callaway County auto shop
Multiple agencies battled a large fire caused by lightning early Thursday in Callaway County that destroyed an auto shop.
The fire broke out early Thursday morning on County Road 228 near County Road 257. The structure was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived.
Boone County Fire Protection District crews said the fire destroyed the Russ Automotive building. No one was hurt.
A state fire marshal’s investigation found the fire was sparked by a lightning strike, Missouri Department of Public Safety spokesman Mike O’Connell said.
Millersburg Fire District Chief Larry Curtis said the fire was reported by a mail carrier and there was a 20-minute delay from the time the carrier witnessed the fire to the time it was reported.
Curtis said when he got to the scene, one whole section was already on the ground. He called for help from other districts and immediately called for back up personel and equipment.
The building had an alarm system which was supposed to let the owner know of a fire. “The alarm system that was reportedly in the structure did not work,” Curtis said. “Whether that was due to electrical outage or what, that’s still unknown.”
Curtis mentioned his team saved a few of the customers’ vechicles that were parked outside of the buisness, but the vehicles inside of the building were destroyed. Curtis did not have an exact number.
“I know one lady had just bought one of the cars and took it there yesterday to get it inspected and such,” Curtis said. “It’s just one of those things, you never know.”
He said the building was insured, and from what he knows it should cover the customers’ vehicles.
Fire agencies from Boone, Millersburg and Callaway counties were at the scene working to put out the fire.
Curtis said getting water to the scene was difficult, causing firefighters to call in other districts. “Any rural setting, very few fire hydrants exist. Some water districts are better about it than some other water districts.”
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