Massive Fire Destroys Springfield Business

Massive Fire Destroys Springfield Business

SEE UPDATES BELOW

UPDATE: Owner talks with SBN, see interview below.

SPRINGFIELD TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – A massive fire tore through a large downtown building Thursday morning leaving the building a total loss.

The building was home to B & J Automotive and is located at 1324 South Main Street in downtown Springfield. MAP The building sits at the intersection of Main St and Central Ave within site of the Robertson County courthouse.

The fire was called into 911 just before 6:30 am. When firefighters arrived the building was showing heavy smoke and within 15 minutes was a ball of fire putting out a plume of smoke that was visible from as far away as Barren Plains.

The heave plume was pushed by early morning winds blanketing the downtown Springfield area. Power to the area around the structure has been turned off, according to city officials. The power may remain off for several hours. City officials are asking for the publics’ patience until the scene can be cleared.

City officials say that roads around the building will remain closed likely throughout the day.

The cause of the fire is still unknown and city leaders tell Smokey Barn News that they have no information leading them to believe that anyone was inside the building. Springfield fire investigators will try to determine a cause of the fire but the level of destruction and age of the building may complicate their investigation.

The building, known by locals as the old Carter Lumber Building, has been home to several businesses over the years.

The current occupant was B & J Automotive, an automotive repair facility that has worked on some very expensive vehicles. Smokey Barn News published a story on 1954 300SL Gullwing Mercedes that was brought into B & J Automotive for repair. A Gullwing Mercedes in reasonable shape can run over $1,000,000.00. Smokey Barn News did a special feature on the car at B & J Automotive several years ago. For more photos of the Gullwing and our full story click here.

Rehab 83 is on the scene serving water, snacks, chairs and whatever else firefighters need as they battle the fire.

Smokey Barn News was live on the scene early on. For a recording of the feed click here.

UPDATE: According to officials at the scene, due to concern over a fragile wall that could collapse onto the road, Main St at Central could be closed for several days. At the moment the roads in the area around Main Street and Central Ave are closed.

POWER: Springfield utility engineers are working to restore power to this area but restoring customers directly adjacent to the building may take longer.

UPDATE: Business owner,  JD Burdge, talks with Smokey Barn News about the fire, how the community has reacted and what his plans are for the future.

As more information becomes available we will bring it to you. Reload this page to see updates.

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