Area firefighters responded to a structure fire on Tuesday, March 9.

According to a release from Sedalia Fire Chief Greg Harrell, at approximately 4:33 a.m., a structure fire was reported in the 100 block of South Washington Avenue, a building that houses a body shop and one other business.

On the scene in four minutes, first crews found the building fully involved. Persons inside the business at the time of the alarm stated they looked up and saw fire running above their heads in the roof as they left the building.

The building has been deemed a total loss. A two-story house to the south sustained damage, and there also was a roof fire at an old railroad freight building to the north.

Crews were able to extinguish the fire in the freight building in about 20 minutes. Off-duty Sedalia Fire Department personnel were recalled, as well as mutual aid was supplied by the Pettis County Fire Protection District.

Approximately 45 firefighters and 13 pieces of apparatus were on the scene. Fire crews remained on the scene for a while to overhaul any hot spots. Also lost in the fire were 14 cars, an RV motor home, two fork lifts and a skid steer.

At this time, no determination has been made as to the cause. Harrell says the investigation will be difficult due to the amount of damage.