Ohio car dealership destroyed in Monday morning fire

OHIO — A massive fire early Monday morning destroyed a car dealership on Cleveland’s West Side and caused significant damage to a neighboring property.

Fire crews responded to the blaze at Byright Auto Sales on West 48th Street and Lorain Avenue just after midnight.

The fire, which started at the family-owned and locally operated dealership, quickly spread to an attached building.

The flames and smoke were so intense that firefighters deployed at least four ladder trucks and used a defensive strategy to ensure no lives were at risk, according to Cleveland Fire Public Information Officer Lieutenant Mike Norman.

The fire caused multiple walls and the roof of Byright Auto Sales to collapse. At the height of the response, 17 units and 60 firefighters were on the scene.

Thanks to a firewall, the flames did not spread to the neighboring Imposters Theater, a comedy and improv venue with apartments above it. No injuries were reported.

Norman estimates the fire caused at least $500,000 in damages.

Investigators are currently working to determine the cause of the blaze.