Intense Fire Destroys West Elizabeth Auto Repair Shop
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WEST ELIZABETH (KDKA) – A Wednesday morning fire destroyed an auto repair shop in West Elizabeth.
According to officials at the scene, the fire started in the 900 block of Fifth Street around 11:30 a.m.
According to the fire chief, the owner of Lewis' Auto finished up some work and left to go get something to eat. When he returned, a fire had started in the back of the business. The owner tried to extinguish the flames with a hose, but was unsuccessful.
"Fire, flaming everywhere. It's craziness... smoke billowing everywhere. Just insanity," said Kendra Lewis, whose husband owns the building.
Nine fire companies responded to the scene, but they were unable to save the building. The fire chief said it was an intense fire and there were explosions inside.
"We're trying to stay positive that nobody was in the garage at the time that this happened," said Lewis.
The sewage department was also notified for the possibility of oil spilling into the drains.
Meanwhile, owner said the business has been in the family for generations and they do not have insurance.
"It's devastating," said Lewis. "It is devastating, such a loss. Like I said, this has been in my husband's family, this whole property, since the '40s," Lewis said.
But she adds that that community is behind them.
"The community outreach has been amazing. So many people have called and stopped, and people have just been incredible," she said.
The cause of the fire has not been determined.
No injuries were reported.
