WASHINGTON — Firefighters are on the scene of a large blaze at Uftring Chevrolet in Washington.
The fire came in at 12:03 p.m., according to dispatch, and within minutes, the Washington Fire Department put out a call for additional help. White smoke has been billowing from the car lot, 1861 Washington Road, for hours and moved south over Washington Road.
Huge plumes of smoke billowing from the fire attracted a constant stream of onlookers in a nearby snowy vacant lot. Many onlookers are getting out of their vehicle, taking a quick cellphone photo or video, then going back inside their vehicle and driving away.
Dozens of firefighters from several area departments are battling the blaze in 8-degree weather in the rear of the dealership. Among those who responded were Morton, Peoria, Eureka and Mackinaw. The effort was so big that shortly before 4 p.m., Peoria Heights Fire Department was called to help with "manpower."
There was no immediate information about the location of the fire on the property or what might have caused it. But sources say it appears the fire involved the entire building.
Deputy Police Chief Jeff Stevens said parts of Constitution and Mount Vernon roads, which border the business, have been closed. So has one lane of westbound Washington Road near the car lot.
Stevens said the city was sending snowplow trucks with salt spreaders to try to limit the amount of ice likely to form while firefighters were on scene or later tonight when temperatures were to plummet.
This story will be updated.
Uftring fire video.pic.twitter.com/ead3u5Cr4x
— Steve Stein (@SpartanSteve)January 5, 2018