Augusta auto dealer fire causes estimated $100,000 in damages

AUGUSTA — An early morning two-alarm fire Sunday caused an estimated $100,000 in damage in a garage bay at a city automobile dealership.

Battalion Chief Jason Farris of the Augusta Fire Department said the fire, reported just before 4 a.m., started in a service garage bay at Darling’s Chrysler Dodge on Western Avenue.

Additional Photos

Damage: An early-morning, two-alarm fire on Sunday caused an estimated $100,000 damage inside a bay at the Darling’s Chrysler Dodge Augusta car dealership. Staff photo by Andy Molloy

Firefighters saw “very heavy smoke with moderate fire” in a rear corner of the bay when they made a forced entry through a garage door, Farris said. He said firefighters had the blaze under control by 4:30 a.m. after putting approximately 500 gallons of water on it.

No vehicles were damaged in the blaze, but new engine casings, along with other parts, tools, walls and garage doors were destroyed or damaged, Farris said. He said the cause of the fire is under investigation, but it appears to be accidental and electrical in nature.

The dealership is closed Sunday, and while Farris said there was smoke damage in a few bays of the garage, he said with some clean-up work, the dealership could use them by Monday. The affected bay would likely be out of commission for some time, he said. The showroom was unaffected.

Augusta’s second alarm triggers aid from Gardiner, Winthrop and Togus fire departments, which all helped control the Sunday fire, Farris said.

Michael Shepherd — 370-7652[email protected]Twitter: @mikeshepherdme

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