Massive Fire Burns Auto Salvage Yard

A tow truck sparked a major fire east of La Grange Tuesday morning, May 31.

The fire happened along SH 71 near Mueller Feed at the old Frank’s Auto Repair property.

Workers at the scene told the Record they were trying to start the engine of a tow truck when it either backfired or sparked, igniting some dry grass under the vehicle. The workers said they tried putting out the fire with bottled water and dirt, but a brisk wind spread the flames into the salvage yard full of old cars and tires.

La Grange Fire Chief Frank Menefee said the first firefighters who arrived concentrated on protecting a building on the property. Menefee initially called for assistance from the Ellinger Volunteer Fire Department. Fayetteville and Round Top-Warrenton VFDs also arrived to help.

“When we got more help we, we started working the perimeter to keep it from spreading,” Menefee said. “Once we got it contained we started extinguishing the burning cars. Last was the tires. We had to use Class A foam to get them extinguished.”

At one point, Menefee said, the wind blew burning embers into some trees, starting a spot fire about 50 yards from the main fire.

“It burned a bunch more vehicles and tires way in the back,” he said.

Menefee said he counted 21 old vehicles that caught fire. There were also six large piles of old tires that burned.

The tires were responsible for most of the black smoke that people could see for miles around.

Frank’s Auto Repair has been closed for many years. Menefee said the men working at the property on Tuesday had purchased all the old vehicles from the property owners. The workers were beginning to haul them away when their tow truck started the fire.

Menefee said 23 firefighters from the four departments battled the fire. They cleared the scene around 5:53 p.m. La Grange firefighters returned Wednesday morning to put out some hot spots that flared up overnight.

Menefee wished to thank the Fayette County EMS for providing cold water and Gatorade to the firefighters. The medics were also set up to treat heat stroke, but no one suffered any injuries. In addition, Menefee wished to thank the Texas Department of Transportation for providing traffic control on SH 71 while the responders were on scene.