A devastating fire has destroyed Cotrac Ford Lincoln, a prominent car dealership in Dutton, Ontario, and temporarily shut down part of the town’s main street. The blaze broke out just before 10 p.m. on Wednesday, engulfing the dealership’s sales centre and reducing the recently refurbished building to ruins.
Dutton, home to just over 4,000 people and located southwest of London, saw emergency crews from several nearby communities—including West Elgin, Southwold, and Central Elgin—join local firefighters in battling the blaze. According to local officials, fire crews arrived within minutes, but the fire had already taken hold, particularly in the ceiling and walls of the showroom.
As flames intensified and the structure became unstable, firefighters shifted from an interior to a defensive exterior approach. Explosions were reported in the mechanical shop due to flammable materials like acetylene torches, tires, and aerosol cans. One firefighter from West Elgin sustained a shoulder injury but was later released from hospital.
A nearby 12-unit apartment building was evacuated due to thick smoke and potential fire spread. Displaced residents were sheltered at the town’s community centre and allowed to return home by 5 a.m. Thursday.
The dealership, located in the heart of Dutton across from municipal offices, was a key part of the community. While the building is considered a total loss, no lives were lost. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.