Axmen Auto Salvage fire damages up to 250 vehicles in the Wye

UPDATE: May 31 at 9:10 p.m.

Missoula Rural Fire District said the fire at Axmen Auto Salvage damaged or destroyed between 200 and 250 vehicles.

Crews from MRFD Station 2, about one mile away, saw flames reaching about 50 feet high and a large plume of black smoke while responding.

The fire initially threatened multiple buildings, heavy equipment and more vehicles inside the facility.

The district said crews used a defensive strategy to keep the fire contained to the burning vehicles while protecting nearby property.

Early estimates put the number of burning vehicles at about 100, but a later assessment found between 200 and 250 vehicles were damaged or destroyed. the district said.

The Axmen staff used heavy equipment to move vehicles away from the immediate area so firefighters could put water directly on the flames. It took about 3 ½ hours to get the fire under control.

A total of 34 firefighters responded with five engines, one ladder truck, nine water tenders, one Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting unit from Missoula Airport and three command units.

Because there were no nearby fire hydrants, the district said water tenders ran a shuttle operation that brought more than 240,000 gallons of water to the scene.

No injuries were reported.

UPDATE: May 31 at 5:18 p.m.

Owner Guy Hanson believes a single spark may have started the, noting the cars still had flammable materials inside since they had not yet been processed.

Crews are expected to remain on scene overnight as a precaution.

No injuries have been reported.

MISSOULA, Mont. — A fire in the Wye has burned about 100 cars at Axmen Recycling on Summit Drive.

The fire has been contained and the building was saved.

NonStop Local is at the scene. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

ORIGINAL COVERAGE: May 31 at 3:50 p.m.