Update: Bellevue Fire: No signs of arson in AutoNation blaze

An investigation into the three-alarm fire that destroyed the AutoNation car dealership on 116th Avenue Northeast in Bellevue early Saturday morning will take a considerable amount of time, given the heavy debris left by a collapsed showroom and burned up vehicles.

An investigation into the three-alarm fire that destroyed the AutoNation car dealership on 116th Avenue Northeast in Bellevue early Saturday morning will take a considerable amount of time, given the heavy debris left by a collapsed showroom and burned up vehicles.

Bellevue firefighters responded to the fully ablaze AutoNation Ford – formerly Prestige Ford – shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday, after emergency dispatchers received reports from police and residents in the Bravern Towers, according to a Monday news release; the showroom roof collapsed 25 minutes later, with large commercial gas meters severing minutes after that. It took four hydrants – at full capacity – to knock down the fire.

The Bellevue Fire Department reported Friday they had cleared the AutoNation site of debris enough to complete a preliminary on-site investigation and determine an area of origin for the fire. The department reports it found no evidence of arson related to the fire.

AutoNation Ford employs more than 70 people, and has committed to financially supporting them while managers work on the site to establish temporary operations for services and sales, according to the release. The financial impact from the fire is still being assessed.

Firefighters have turned over the site to AutoNation to continue clearing debris and cleanup.

Bellevue firefighters were aided by companies from Mercer Island, Redmond and Kirkland, as well as Eastside Fire and Rescue. The American Red Cross and Seattle Fire Buffs supported fire crews during the long battle.

Original Story

A three-alarm fire destroyed the AutoNation car dealership on 116th Avenue Northeast in Bellevue overnight, and is expected to be smoldering throughout the day.

Bellevue firefighters responded to the dealership at the intersection of Northeast Fourth Street and 116th Avenue Northeast around 3 a.m. Saturday. No injuries were reported, and the fire department reports the remaining structure is expected to be smoldering throughout the day.

Bellevue firefighters report 116th will be closed between Northeast Fourth and Eighth streets until further notice.

“We don’t have any kind of cause yet,” said Bellevue Fire Lt. Rich Burke, adding what’s left of the building is not structurally sound nor safe. “We’re bringing in a crane to tear the building apart.”

To keep track of fire operations and when 116th may reopen, follow the Bellevue Fire Department on Twitter @BvueFD and the city transportation department @BvueTrans.