Posted: Jul 12, 2012 4:15 PM by Matt Moreno
Updated: Jul 12, 2012 4:23 PM
JEFFERSON CITY - Crews responded to a vehicle fire in a parking garage near the capitol building Thursday.
Jefferson City Fire Chief Bob Rennick said the State Fire Marshal could not determine the cause of the van fire, but does not believe foul play was involved.
The fire happened around 8 a.m. at a parking garage about 1000 feet away from the capitol building. The driver of the van contacted authorities after spotting smoke coming from the vehicle's wheel well. The van quickly became fully engulfed.
Crews eventually put the fire out, but the van is considered a total loss. Two other vehicle were damaged due to the fire, but the extent is unknown.
Officials are closing down the garage's 3rd and 4th floors until further notice to investigate if damage occurred to the structure during the fire. Fire Chief Rennick said concrete can easily crack and break due to excessive heat.
The parking garage is connected to the capitol building through a tunnel. Fire crews used exhaust fans to chase the smoke away from the building. Rennick said he was unsure if any smoke reached the building.
The garage is the same one many house representative park in according to Rennick.