Urbana- A large fire Friday afternoon blazed through Mack's Auto Recycling in Urbana destroying the business. Â
The fire began around 2:45 pm, after likely being started by a spark from a torch a worker was using. The spark is believed to have caught a car on fire, and soon after the business was engulfed in flames.Â
"I heard a big kaboom, and black smoke everywhere. I was scared." said Macy Slade, who lives across the street.Â
The flame was so big it could be seen all throughout Champaign-Urbana. One man who lives in the neighborhood saw the smoke as he was leaving work. "We saw the smoke all the way on Staley. Staley and Route 10. It was huge." said Dustin Pitten.
Fire departments from Carroll, Savoy, Sidney, and a variety of other departments from around Champaign County responded to the flames quickly, ultimately putting the fire out by 5 pm. While they were able to battle the flames quickly, it was not quick enough to prevent massive damage to the business. "We are looking at total loss." said Rob McCartney, Manager of Mack's Auto Recycling.Â
Mack's is a family business that has been in Urbana since 1955. Rob said his great grandfather opened the business, and while this is a huge blow they will make it through. "We are going to try stay united and see where it takes us, just take it one day at time." he said.Â
It is still unknown what the total cost of damage will be.Â
