A huge fire recently flamed through a classic landmark car dealership in Illinois, claiming a minimum of 150 vintage vehicles that were stored within.

Located in Staunton, Ill., Country Classic Cars was the scene of the crime where firefighters were called to just after 8 p.m. on a Tuesday night and what they found was devastating. The fifty-foot-wide, 510-foot-long building was in flames; which had spread so fast and furious, that the roof collapsed on the vehicles stored inside. It took approximately several hours for firefighters to put out the fire, something that was that much more difficult for the crew as there were zero fire hydrants located anywhere near where the building was at; which meant water had be brought in from another source.

Sadly, by the time everything was put out, the damage had already run rapid. Unfortunately, due to the hugeness of the one room in that building, as well as way it was constructed with wooden and metal exterior, plus the 150 vehicles that were highly combustible; nothing could refrain the fire from spreading so fast.

The only silver lining in the entire ordeal is that no one was injured. However, to dampen this ‘good news’ notion, as the main area was destroyed, this will make it that much harder for officials to find what caused the fire.

The Telegraph reported that Country Classic Cars is quite famous in the area for its diverse collection of over 650 classic cars, parked throughout its vast property that houses several buildings. The company also provides restoration and repair services and acts as a museum for those passing by. CCC would also rent out period vehicles to film production sets, now and again.

Prior to the blaze, their collection included everything from a 1954 Cadillac Eldorado, to a 1926 Ford Model T, to a 1973 BMW 2002. Reports do not indicate which specific vehicles were destroyed as of yet.

Russel Noel, owner of the classic cars company, traded in farming for his car collection about two decades ago. His passion was around a concern regarding a decreased interest in classic cars within the youth of today, and he looked to rectify this by offering realistic pricing, as well as providing his grandchildren with a classic vehicle to own and take care of themselves.
The good news is, while 150 classic vehicles were destroyed, a good portion of the Country Classic Cars’ inventory was not damaged; so, here’s hoping the company can move forward from this tragedy in the long run.