Building collapses during fire

Update 9 p.m.
A fire that ripped through a used car dealership on Thursday destroyed a building and damaged several cars.

Flames broke out at Auto City at 492 Cambridge Street (U.S. 1) in Stafford County at 4:56 p.m., prompting fire and rescue crews from more than six fire stations in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, and Fredericksburg to come and help douse the blaze.

Crews battled the blaze for 45 minutes before it was extinguished.

There were no civilian injuries, but one firefighter suffered a minor injury and was treated on the scene, said Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department spokesman Mark Doyle.

During the fire, the roof on the 50 by 100-foot building collapsed due to the heat, said Doyle.

That prompted fire crews to battle the blaze from the exterior of the building.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation and officials did not release property damage estimates.

Update 8 p.m.
Drivers on U.S. 1 in Stafford are moving again after officials reopened the portion of highway closed for a fire.

Sheriff’s authorities closed the highway in both directions in the area of Drew Middle School after initial reports indicated a fire at a used car dealership.

Rescue crews were called, but the fire was so intense the building collapsed, according to initial reports.

It’s unclear if anyone was injured in the blaze.

Stafford County, Va. –– A used car dealership on U.S. 1 in Stafford County has collapsed during a fire, according to initial reports.

Fire and rescue crews were called to the Auto City Used Car dealership across from Drew Middle School just before 5 p.m.

While there are no reports of injuries right now, sheriff’s authorities say both the north and southbound side of U.S. 1 in the area of the fire has been shut down.

More as we get it.