Tires burn in huge fire at Florida auto shop in Orange County

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - An auto business that sells tires caught fire Tuesday afternoon in Orange County, sending huge columns of smoke into the air and across Maitland Boulevard. Orange County Fire Rescue continues to investigate the cause.

The fire started Tuesday afternoon, shortly before the evening commute, on JMT Industrial Drive, not far from State Route 441 and SR-414.

When firefighters arrived, they found the building fully engulfed in flames. Eventually, a majority of the fire was put out, though firefighters will likely be there through the evening hours to put out any flare-ups.

The owner of the business reportedly smelled smoke, found the fire, and tried to put it out himself, but quickly realized it was getting out of hand and then called 911, a spokesperson for Orange County Fire Rescue said.

Don Owens says his two dogs were in the building that burned down. He believes they both died in the fire. Officials say they haven't been able to enter the building yet to locate the remains.

Video from nearby traffic cams showed a column of dark smoke and flames.