On Sunday morning, the Knoxville Fire Department received a call about a commercial fire at Wheels Auto Sales located in the 6200 block of Chapman Highway. Crews were dispatched shortly after 9:30 a.m., and firefighters arrived at the scene to begin fighting the fire. However, they faced challenges due to the large number of items stored within the building, which made it difficult for them to reach the bulk of the fire.
Despite these difficulties, crews were able to get the fire under control within 20 minutes. Unfortunately, the building did not have sprinklers or alarms installed, which caused significant fire damage. One firefighter was treated on the scene for a minor injury.
The fire partially shut down the southbound lanes of Chapman Highway, causing traffic delays in the area as of 11 a.m. TN Smartway advised caution and suggested avoiding the area if possible. As cleanup and investigation continue, Chapman Highway remains partially closed southbound.
Overall, this incident highlights the importance of having proper safety measures in place to prevent fires from spreading rapidly and causing significant damage. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and its extent is being assessed.
