Elizabethton auto repair shop damaged by early morning fire

Murry Lee
·2 min read

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) – An Elizabethton business sustained “significant damage” after an early morning fire Monday.

According to a news release from the City of Elizabethton, crews from Elizabethton’s fire and police departments and the Carter County Rescue Squad responded to the fire around 4:50 a.m.

The fire occurred at 1481 Highway 19E, the address of Fatboy Fabrication.

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The first crews to arrive at the burning auto repair shop found heavy smoke and fire coming from the roof. Firefighters quickly entered the structure but found that due to plywood covering the ceiling, attacking the fire from the inside would be difficult.

The release states firefighters made the call to attack the fire from the exterior.

  • Photo: Smoke billows from the roof of Fatboy Fabrication located at 1481 Highway 19-E. (Photo courtesy of Elizabethton Fire Department)
    Photo: Smoke billows from the roof of Fatboy Fabrication located at 1481 Highway 19-E. (Photo courtesy of Elizabethton Fire Department)
  • With the overhead of Fatboy Fabrication being plywood, the Elizabethton Fire Department had to attack the fire from the exterior of the building. (Photo courtesy of Elizabethton Fire Department)
    With the overhead of Fatboy Fabrication being plywood, the Elizabethton Fire Department had to attack the fire from the exterior of the building. (Photo courtesy of Elizabethton Fire Department)
  • Daylight brought the opportunity to see the extent of the damage to the Fatboy Fabrication business which caught fire early Monday morning. (Photo courtesy of Elizabethton Fire Department)
    Daylight brought the opportunity to see the extent of the damage to the Fatboy Fabrication business which caught fire early Monday morning. (Photo courtesy of Elizabethton Fire Department)
  • The quick action of the Elizabethton Fire Department helped to save several cars located inside the business along with car parts. (Photo courtesy of Elizabethton Fire Department)
    The quick action of the Elizabethton Fire Department helped to save several cars located inside the business along with car parts. (Photo courtesy of Elizabethton Fire Department)

As some personnel began battling the flames, other crews started to salvage what they could from inside the business. Salvage covers were placed over cars, parts and tools to prevent as much water damage as possible.

“It is estimated that these salvage operations protected approximately $500,000 worth of building contents,” the release states.

A fire investigation was conducted after the fire was controlled. According to the Elizabethton Fire Department, the fire appears to have started in a small metal barrel. The barrel may have contained “discarded oil-soaked rags.”

The fire is believed to have gone up a nearby wall, severed an airline and then entered the attic space.

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