News Summary
A large vehicle fire occurred at the AutoNation Volkswagen dealership in Savannah, causing substantial damage but no serious injuries. Firefighters quickly responded and worked for hours to contain the blaze, which was fueled by accelerants like gasoline and oil. Despite initial concerns about a potential explosion, officials confirmed there was none. The firefighting crews utilized foam to combat the flames effectively, leading to the application of a defensive strategy to protect nearby structures. Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the fire.
Savannah experienced a significant vehicle fire on Friday morning at the AutoNation Volkswagen dealership located on Abercorn Street, resulting in extensive damage but no reports of serious injuries. Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after the fire broke out around 9:49 a.m. and worked diligently to contain the blaze. Approximately 60 personnel were deployed to manage the situation over a period of two hours.
The fire began in the back area of the dealership, where three employees were present at the time. They attempted to extinguish the flames using a fire extinguisher, but due to the presence of accelerants such as oil and gasoline, the situation quickly escalated beyond their control. Initial reports suggested a possible explosion and structural collapse, but officials later clarified that no explosion occurred.
As the fire intensified, firefighters switched from traditional water to foam to effectively smother the flames, given that gas is lighter than water and would float, complicating direct water-based efforts. Crews adopted a defensive approach to their firefighting strategy which involved protecting nearby structures and addressing the fire from the outside instead of entering the burning building directly.
By 11 a.m., firefighters had managed to contain the fire, but they continued to address lingering hot spots to ensure the fire was fully extinguished. The scene of the incident showed thick plumes of smoke rising, with flames visible from the building when firefighters first arrived. Throughout the operation, one firefighter required treatment for heat exhaustion while a dealership employee was evaluated for potential smoke inhalation. Fortunately, both individuals are expected to recover.
In the vicinity of the dealership, road closures were implemented on Abercorn Street in all directions, specifically between Stephenson Avenue and Eisenhower Drive, leading to traffic disruptions lasting more than two hours as emergency responders dealt with the incident.
As investigators began their work on-site, multiple teams, including arson investigators, were dispatched to uncover the cause of the fire. Currently, the precise origin of the fire remains unknown, but Savannah Fire Department officials reported extensive damage to the structure, with evidence of burnt metal and affected vehicles both inside and outside the dealership.
This incident marks another significant fire event in the area, highlighting the importance of safety measures in commercial environments where hazardous materials are present. As investigations continue, further updates on the incident are anticipated, especially concerning the findings related to the cause of the fire and additional safety protocols that may be implemented in the future.
Local authorities continue to monitor the aftermath of the fire at AutoNation Volkswagen and are expected to release more details pertaining to the damage assessment and recovery efforts as they unfold.
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Additional Resources
- Savannah Now: Fire at Abercorn Dealership
- WTOC: Large Fire on Abercorn Street
- ABC News 4: Vehicle Fire Affects Traffic
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vehicle Fire
- WJCL: Savannah Car Dealership Fire
- Google News: Savannah Fire
