166 Auto Auction fire ruled accidental with $50K in damages

A fire at 166 Auto Auction that caused some $50,000 in damages has been ruled accidental, a Springfield Fire Department spokesman confirmed.

In an email sent Friday night to Springfield Business Journal, Fire Marshal Mark Epps said the accident at around 4 a.m. March 20 burned 10 vehicles.

“The fire originated in one vehicle and spread to the others,” Epps said of the incident at 2944 W. Sunshine St. “Fire crews had a 30-minute delay in reaching the fire due to the electrified security fence and outdated contact information.”

A video shot by a KSPR cameraman captured the fire, which also included an explosion.

A 166 Auto Auction employee, who declined to provide her name, on Friday said the affected vehicles were owned by one dealer. A Facebook post by the company said business would continue as usual after the fire.

The business sells 600 to 700 units in a weekly auction for dealerships, according to its website.