Fire at Haywood motors

Charlie Haywood (center) surveys the damage to his building Tuesday morning with an insurance adjustor. A blaze of undetermined origin caused heavy damage to the structure Monday evening, though the fire was restricted to the rear of the business.
(Times photo/Tim Blair)

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Firefighters were called to the scene around 8 p.m. Monday and upon arrival found the blaze had already broken through the roof of the structure at the rear of the building. Firemen then aggressively attacked the fire and were able to keep it from spreading to the north side of the building where the showroom and offices are located.

Fire officials also noted the high ceilings of the building played a role in how the blaze spread, adding that many items were not severely damaged due to the fact that the heat was able to rise and dissipate.

Haywood Motors, which has long been a fixture at the corner of Third Street and West Clay, formerly housed a Dodge-Chrysler dealership, and prior to 1965 the family-owned-business was a Farmall tractor dealer. Owner Charlie Haywood noted the building has been in his family since 1944.

Reports from the fire department indicated personnel remained on the scene until around 11 p.m., and at last report the investigation into the cause of the blaze remained under investigation.