By Howard Packowitz

WASHINGTON – Everyone made it out safely from a fire that sent plumes of black smoke into the air from a well-known Tazewell County car dealer on Friday.

The fire at Uftring Chevrolet on Washington Road in Washington apparently started in the dealership’s tool room, that community’s police chief told our news partner, WMBD-TV.

Employees used fire extinguishers, but couldn’t put out the fire.

In a statement on Uftring’s Facebook page, the dealership said workers and customers who were inside and around the business at the time were safe and out of harm’s way.

The company also expressed thanks to first responders who risked their lives to put out the blaze.

WMBD-TV reporter Brooke Brighton, who was on the scene, said firefighters also had to battle bitter cold temperatures.

“First responders are being extra careful. They are bundled up,” she said.

Because it’s so cold, some of the streets have been iced over,” Brighton added.

Salt trucks were brought in to melt the frozen roadways.

Many Central Illinois fire departments provided mutual aid.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]