A fire erupted at a Morton auto shop on Thanksgiving morning, sending plumes of heavy black smoke into the sky that were visible for miles. The blaze at Dan Kniep’s Complete Auto & Motor Sports, based at 4001 West Jackson Street, started while the business was closed for the holiday. According to a 25News report, owner Dan Kniep, who has been in the trade for 30 years, said he doesn't believe anyone was inside the premises when the fire began.
Residents and those working in the vicinity noticed the fire shortly after 10 a.m., and first responders quickly set a perimeter to maintain public safety. Firefighters from multiple jurisdictions, including Morton, East Peoria, and Pekin, were seen by a 25News crew, working to extinguish the flames. As of noon, firefighting efforts were ongoing, with material damage to several buildings near the auto shop's signage, as reported by WMBD.
Morton Fire Chief Justin Hale has not yet released a full statement about the fire, but he indicated that more details would come in a subsequent news release. With the cause of the fire yet to be officially determined, the local business community is bracing for the impact of the loss of long-standing Dan Kniep’s Complete Auto & Motor Sports.
The fire has prompted a considerable emergency response, with law enforcement joining fire services to manage the incident. As the investigation into the origin and cause of the fire continues, residents are reminded to avoid the impacted area to allow emergency workers to operate effectively. Kniep told 25News he's been at the West Jackson Street location for about the last five years, marking a significant period in his three-decades-long business venture.
