Country Classic Cars burns to the ground

[SS427]

Hundreds of classic cars were lost in a huge fire at Country Classic Cars in Staunton, IL tonight. Last I heard it was a 7 alarm fire. I have been there several times and a tragic loss.

[scuncio]

Sad, I have been there a number of times.

[Bill Pritchard]

Sad, indeed.....been there a couple times myself, many years ago. Most of their inventory was what you might term 'entry level' material, but they did have some nicer stuff, too.

[Postsedan]

Wow, very sad....one of my favorite stops to and from St. Louis.

Dan

[Mr70]

Was there last summer.Very sad to hear this.
News story Vid..
http://fox2now.com/2017/08/08/classic-car-shop-destroyed-in-5-alarm-blaze/

[CC Rider]

What a shame.

[WILMASBOYL78]

Karen and I visited there a number of years ago with Wayne Bushey...they had a lot of cars. Hope there were no injuries...

-wilma

[Xplantdad]

Wow...too bad...hope no one was hurt!

[Lee Stewart]

Wow...too bad...hope no one was hurt!

Thankfully no one was hurt.

[RPOLS3]

Is that the one that fronts on I-55 just south of Springfield?

[Mr70]

Yes Jake.

[Tenney]

Oh, man ...

[Lee Stewart]

Country Classic Cars, a Hemmings Pro dealer located just off Route 66 in Staunton, Illinois, has long been known for its large inventory of collectible cars. With five-plus storage buildings and numerous pole barns on its property, the dealership has storage room for 600-plus automobiles, but on Tuesday night, the central building caught fire, damaging or destroying as many as 150 vehicles.

The fire was reported shortly before 8:00 p.m., and quickly grew to five alarms, with an estimated 15 departments from surrounding communities responding. Gusty winds fanned the flames, and at one point there was speculation that Interstate 55, which parallels the Country Classic Cars property, would be shut down as the flames spread. A lack of on-site water compounded the difficulties faced by firefighters, who were forced to rely upon water tankers to extinguish the blaze, which was declared under control at approximately 9:30 p.m.

No injuries were reported in the fire, which appeared to be contained to a single building that served as both a storage and repair facility. Chief Rick Haase of the Staunton Fire Department reported that the blaze began in the center of the building, but quickly spread to both ends, and shortly after the arrival of firefighters on scene, the structure’s roof collapsed. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and as is standard practice in such incidents, the state fire marshal is investigating.

The exact cars damaged, and the extent of the damage to each, remains unclear as owners Russ and Anita Noel begin the process of sifting through the rubble. We will bring you more information as it becomes available.

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2017/08/09/five-alarm-fire-causes-extensive-damage-at-country-classic-cars/

[PeteLeathersac]

'

Sad news indeed but as others have said, most important is everyone's Ok.
I really feel for the facility owners who have to sift through the remains and deal w/ customers also hope their insurance is best it can be too.
:frown:
~ Pete

.

[HawkX66]

I was checking out their inventory. It looks like it's a lot of Model A & Ts and other 30s and 40s cars and trucks as well as a completely eclectic collection up through the 90s and a couple up to an 06 Vette. Luckily there was only one first gen Camaro and it was that ridiculous abomination that was posted up here the other day. Still, hate to see the others go up. They had some reasonably priced cruisers in there by the looks of it.
One of the articles said there was a major lack of water issue for the fire dept. at the location.

http://countryclassiccars.com/chevy-camaro-1968/vehicle-details/?vin=Call for Vin10564#prettyPhoto

[Mr70]

Today..

[Bill Pritchard]

One of the articles said there was a major lack of water issue for the fire dept. at the location.

As their name implies, they are out in the Country, so no hydrants.....whatever water the fire trucks can carry...

[HawkX66]

As their name implies, they are out in the Country, so no hydrants.....whatever water the fire trucks can carry...
Right. I used to be an on-call Firefighter & EMT. With a place like that, with that many cars, you would think/hope they'd have a cistern, pond or something. I live in the country too where there isn't much natural water, but a lot of people have ponds dug.
Has there been any info on what sparked it off?

[SS427]

In a fire of this magnitude and heat they will likely never know. It started somewhere in the middle of the building so it could have been a trickle charger. Yesterday and ironically I talked to a insurance sales rep who stopped by my shop looking to write me a quote. He was at Country Classics at 5:15 the day of the fire to try and sell them a policy but their gate was closed. He told the person who he spoke to that he would stop back the next day to go over a policy. I said he was damn lucky he did not sell them a policy (though it would not have been in place yet anyway) and he said no, that actually would have been very good for his insurance company to show how quickly and amicably they could have resolved the claim. That would have brought it way more new business than this claim cost. I never thought about it that way but he is totally right. This would have been a marketing landfall for them, unfortunately at Country Classic's cost.

With regards to water, I too am a volunteer fire fighter and we also have a lack of water in many areas which is why we rely so heavily on mutual aid and tanker trucks. They would likely have sucked a small pond dry in a short time. I was actually very amazed at how quickly these fire departments had this fire under control. Shows that they had great communication and team work.

[HawkX66]

In a fire of this magnitude and heat they will likely never know. It started somewhere in the middle of the building so it could have been a trickle charger.
With regards to water, I too am a volunteer fire fighter and we also have a lack of water in many areas which is why we rely so heavily on mutual aid and tanker trucks. They would likely have sucked a small pond dry in a short time. I was actually very amazed at how quickly these fire departments had this fire under control. Shows that they had great communication and team work.
Battery/trickle charger related was my first guess. Like you said, they'll probably never know.
You're right, they had some good crews working that one. Most of the ponds around me are at least ~100'x40' and some are as much as 18' deep so they're pretty decent size.

[MYSTERYCHEVELLE]

As long as no people were harmed!

[luzl78]

I wonder how many cars were being sold on consignment?

[Lee Stewart]

BTW the title of this thread is wrong and misleading. It gives the sembelance that the entire inventory was destroyed by fire. That was not the case. Only the main building was destroyed and it housed about 150 cars:

Country Classic Cars, a Hemmings Pro dealer located just off Route 66 in Staunton, Illinois, has long been known for its large inventory of collectible cars. With five-plus storage buildings and numerous pole barns on its property, the dealership has storage room for 600-plus automobiles, but on Tuesday night, the central building caught fire, damaging or destroying as many as 150 vehicles.

[SS427]

BTW the title of this thread is wrong and misleading. It gives the sembelance that the entire inventory was destroyed by fire. That was not the case. Only the main building was destroyed and it housed about 150 cars:

Correct. However, when I originally put the thread up I was told by someone on scene that it was a total loss. Found out the next day it was only their main building and their offices. If you want to get technical that did in fact happen just not all of their inventory. I am sure they will be back in business within a short time.

[ZL1.FUN]

Question what becomes of the cars now? Can they be bought?

[Lee Stewart]

Question what becomes of the cars now? Can they be bought?

Are you referring to those cars that were in the fire?

[ZL1.FUN]

Are you referring to those cars that were in the fire?

Yes, Do they just get hauled to scrap after insurance pays?

[ANDY M]

Have you ever seen what happens to a car that burns up? Not too many parts left to salvage.