BILLINGS – The Billings Fire Department was called to a downtown auto shop business around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday for a report of a structure fire.
Crews worked to extinguish flames at Cor Automotive, located at 1620 Second Ave. N.
According to the Billings Fire Department, the blaze started in the auto shop area of the building and caused about $750,000 in damages. Fire and structural damage was reported in the auto shop, and heavy smoke damage was reported throughout the rest of the building.
The Habitat for Humanity ReStore and the Grindhouse are both housed in the same building. According to a post on Facebook, the ReStore will be closed until further notice as they assess the damages.
Due to structural damage in the auto shop, fire investigators have had limited entry into the building, so a cause has not been determined.
When the fire began, police shut down First Avenue North and Second Avenue North between North 15th Street and North 18th Street while the fire department responded.
Drivers were asked to find an alternate route.
The roads were reopened around 6 a.m. once conditions were safe.
