Williams Tire and Auto caught on fire Tuesday evening for the second time in almost three months. The business is located in Robbins on Highway 705.
The fire was called in by a witness around 8:15 p.m.
A Robbins police officer was first on the scene and reported heavy black smoke from the front of the building. Officials believe there wasn’t anyone at the building when the blaze broke out.
A large group of bystanders watched as firefighters battled the flames from the roof and in front of the building.
The fire chief and lieutenant with Robbins Fire and Rescue Department assisted in the investigation with North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina Office of State Fire Marshal, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives until early in the morning.
“The fire is under investigation, and it’s going to be a long investigation,” said Lieutenant Jeffrey Chriscoe with Robbins Fire and Rescue Department.
A fire destroyed a portion of Williams Tire and Auto on March 22.
The first fire at the business occurred on January 10.
Responding to the scene were Robbins Fire and Rescue, Highfalls Fire and Rescue, Westmoore Fire and Rescue, Eagle Springs Fire and Rescue, Crains Creek Fire Department, Carthage Fire and Rescue, Robbins Police Department, Seagrove Fire Department, Biscoe Fire Department, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, Moore County Public Safety, and Moore County EMS.
Other fire agencies assisted by adding coverage: Southern Pines Fire and Rescue, Coleridge Fire and Rescue, Bennett Fire and Rescue from Chatham County.
~Article, photo, and video by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Curtis Self.
