COLUMBUS, Ohio – A fire that burned for nearly an hour caused major damage but no injuries at a Northwest Side auto dealership this morning was ruled accidental, according to a spokesman for the Columbus Division of Fire.
The fire at Germain Ford, 7250 Sawmill Road, broke out on the roof of a building under construction at the dealership, Firefighter William Ehrgood said.
It was appparently caused by a construction worker’s power saw.
The damage to the building was estimated at $1 million, Ehrgood said.
Firefighters who responded to the reported fire at 11:09 a.m. found flames coming from the roof of the building and the incident commander ordered crews into a defensive operation because of the amount of fire involved, Ehrgood said.
Firefighters contained to one section of the building and it was brought under control at 11:50 a.m.
Most of the damages were confined to the parts department with smoke and water damage elsewhere, Ehrgood said.