Several cars, building catch fire off of Old Rutledge Pike, Rural Metro says

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - Rural Metro Fire crews responded to a commercial fire at Junk Car Mafia in the 6900 block of Old Rutledge Pike Thursday afternoon, according to the agency.

Public Information Officer Jeff Bagwell said a car in the building’s garage caught fire while being worked on, and workers tried to move it outside.

“Occupants attempted to pull the burning vehicle from the building and were unsuccessful, thus catching the building on fire as well as several cars,” Bagwell said.

He added that the workers held off on calling the fire department, because they were trying to get the burning car out of the building.

Knoxville Utility Board (KUB) crews in the area also shut down power to help Rural Metro fight the fire.

No one reported any injuries, Bagwell said, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.