A massive fire late Saturday night in Liberty left behind a trail of destruction, destroying four small businesses and classic cars. Fire crews spent hours battling the blaze, which broke out in the middle of the night at a commercial building off Highway H.Among those affected was Jim Austin, a classic car enthusiast who lost his 1941 Plymouth coupe in the fire. Austin said he had owned the car for 39 years and had been restoring it with plans to paint it soon.“I’ve had it for 39 years, and we waited and waited. Finally got it to where it was just about ready for paint,” Austin said. “I thank God that nobody was hurt. That’s most important.”Liberty fire officials said the fire was so intense that crews urged the public to avoid the highway for safety reasons. The blaze destroyed several four businesses, including D&M Doors, which had operated in Liberty for 25 years.The company shared on its Facebook page that “everything is gone” and that they will be starting over from scratch.Liberty resident Jerry Hon described the damage as heartbreaking.“It’s terrible. It brings back a lot of memories,” Hon said.Austin said he believes his classic car is a total loss. “It was a ’41 Plymouth coupe. Had a 446 pack in it,” he said.The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
A massive fire late Saturday night in Liberty left behind a trail of destruction, destroying four small businesses and classic cars.
Fire crews spent hours battling the blaze, which broke out in the middle of the night at a commercial building off Highway H.
Among those affected was Jim Austin, a classic car enthusiast who lost his 1941 Plymouth coupe in the fire.
Austin said he had owned the car for 39 years and had been restoring it with plans to paint it soon.
“I’ve had it for 39 years, and we waited and waited. Finally got it to where it was just about ready for paint,” Austin said. “I thank God that nobody was hurt. That’s most important.”
Liberty fire officials said the fire was so intense that crews urged the public to avoid the highway for safety reasons.
The blaze destroyed several four businesses, including D&M Doors, which had operated in Liberty for 25 years.
The company shared on its Facebook page that “everything is gone” and that they will be starting over from scratch.
Liberty resident Jerry Hon described the damage as heartbreaking.
“It’s terrible. It brings back a lot of memories,” Hon said.
Austin said he believes his classic car is a total loss.
“It was a ’41 Plymouth coupe. Had a 446 pack in it,” he said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.