Fire in Arlington: Blaze Rips Through Building at Grand Prairie, Massive Smoke Cloud Rises Near Six Flags

Fire in Grand Prairie Damages Dozens of Cars

A fire in a commercial parking lot in Grand Prairie, Texas, damaged at least 30 cars on Sunday afternoon, with officials reporting no injuries. The fire occurred in the 1200 block of E. Avenue J, a location that drew the Grand Prairie Fire Department around 3:45 p.m., according to Battalion Chief Jeremy Ashcraft, who spoke with CBS News.

The department had initially been dispatched for what was reported as a grass fire, said Marina Bustillo, a Grand Prairie Fire Department spokeswoman. When crews arrived, they found dozens of cars engulfed in flames in the back parking lot of a commercial property. The fire spread to some grassy areas near the lot before firefighters were able to bring it under control.

Firefighters Battle Heat and Flames

As many as 25 firefighters worked at the scene on a day when temperatures reached 108 degrees in Grand Prairie, Bustillo said. The heat added to the challenge of the response. "The main challenge was just the guys getting overworked," Ashcraft told CBS News, adding that extra units were called in due to the record-breaking conditions. Firefighters were able to get "a quick knockdown" on the flames, he said.

The smoke was visible from a distance, with the Dallas Morning News reporting plumes that could be seen across the area. The fire was also reported visible from State Highway 121 and Glade Road, according to Times Now.

Businesses Affected, No Injuries Reported

Two businesses were affected by the fire: Kerr Industries, which details cars for police departments, and Links Laundry, according to Ashcraft. The flames did not spread to buildings, officials said, preventing a potentially worse outcome.

No injuries were reported, Bustillo said, and the flames were almost entirely put out by 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Cause Under Investigation

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Ashcraft said, "We don't know where it started," as crews focused on containing the flames to prevent them from spreading to nearby warehouses. The public has been urged to call the Grand Prairie Fire Department with any information.

Initial reports, covered by Times Now, mentioned an explosion that was reportedly heard before the smoke was seen, but this has not been confirmed by officials. The exact number of cars damaged varied in reports, with CBS News citing officials on a total of 45, while the Dallas Morning News reported at least 30.