By Madison Lammert
Belleville News-Democrat
CAHOKIA HEIGHTS, Ill. — Multiple agencies responded Saturday afternoon to a large fire in a tow yard in Cahokia Heights.
The fire took place at Patterson Towing LLC on North 73rd St. As of 2:40 p.m., roughly 50 cars were on fire, Cahokia Heights Fire Chief Stephen Robbins said. He did not know of any injuries.
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Patterson Towing employee James Austin was taking off tires and salvaging car parts in the scrapyard when the fire broke out. He said his coworker was moving an electric Fiat with an excavator when the car sparked.
“As soon as there was that spark, it was over with,” Austin said.
The fire did not touch the building, Austin said.
Responding agencies included the Cahokia Heights Fire Department, Hollywood Heights Fire Department, Villa Hills Fire Department, East St. Louis Fire Department, Prairie Du Pont Fire Protection District, Millstadt Union Fire Department, Midway Fire Protection District, Dupo Fire Department, Columbia Fire Protection District, Church Road Fire Department, Alorton Fire Department and Camp Jackson Fire Department.
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