On Monday afternoon, several fire crews battled heavy flames at an auto business in north Lincoln. The fire was reported at Lincoln Cars near 23rd Street and Cornhusker Highway around 2:30 p.m. According to Lincoln Fire & Rescue spokeswoman MJ Lierman, the cause of the vehicle fire is unknown, but it started after someone heard a “pop sound.” Battalion Chief Mark Majors mentioned that a car caught fire, causing the flames to quickly spread to the building.
Due to the strong winds, firefighters were unable to enter the building and had to take a defensive approach. They used aerial tactics to spray water from above, a technique that is not commonly used in these situations. One of the main concerns was preventing the fire from spreading to the neighboring building, which crews were able to save from the flames. Unfortunately, Lincoln Cars sustained significant damage, with the roof and west wall collapsing, and there is a risk of more of the building coming down.
The total damage is estimated at $650,000, but fortunately, no injuries were reported as a result of the fire. Majors emphasized the danger of the situation and the importance of taking precautions to protect both the firefighters and nearby properties. The quick response and coordinated effort of the emergency crews helped prevent the fire from causing further damage.