A fire fueled by automotive fluids, car batteries and paint caused a Auto Parts Store to catch fire Thursday night in Laurel, Montana. The store was completely destroyed by the time firemen were able to put the fire out.
Around 7:36 on Thursday the fire broke out at the auto store, but the cause of the fire is still to be determined.
Laurel Volunteer Fire Department investigators began examining the scene on Friday to try and figure out how the fire started exactly. Fire Chief Brent Peters said that by 1:30 a.m. the fire was finally under control, although one engine company remained on the scene overnight to pour water on hot spots. It took around 32 firefighters from Laurel and other local towns fought to put out the fire.
"To get inside something like that is pretty dangerous. It can overwhelm you in a big hurry," explained Laurel Fire Marshal Gary Colley, while at the scene Thursday to KTVQ News. "I think they decided early on they weren't going to be able to get inside. From the conversation I heard on the radio, they finally turned defensive and fought from the outside."
The fire sent blazing flames, smoke and steam up as high as 100 feet into the air, but somehow did not cause any damage to buildings nearby. Wayne Halvorson, the owner of the store, had been the owner since 1960 and all he could do was watch the store burn as the flames were too big to handle to try salvaging the store.
Employees of a nearby Palace Bar smelled smoke from the alley and went out to investigate. The employees then called the fire department immediately. It took fire fighters under a half hour to respond to the call.
Terry Ruff, the assistant fire chief for the Laurel Fire Department and 23-year veteran said the fire easily ranks as one of the worst in the city's history.
Local police officers provided security through the night and Laurel Public works staff remained on the scene for assistance. No one was injured in the fire.
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