NAPA Auto Parts sign catches fire in DeKalb, Lincoln Highway shut down temporarily

DeKALB – Part of Lincoln Highway in downtown DeKalb was closed Thursday afternoon due to a 12-foot storefront electrical sign catching fire, according to DeKalb Fire Department officials.

DeKalb Fire Chief Jeff McMaster said a call came in at 11:54 a.m. Thursday about the sign of NAPA Auto Parts on East Lincoln Highway being on fire.

“When we got on the scene,” McMaster said, the 12-foot electrical sign “was heavily involved with fire.”

McMaster said the fire was out as of 12:23 p.m. Thursday. He said the estimated monetary damage due to the fire amounts to $10,000.

“So it was quickly controlled within a couple of minutes,” McMaster said.

Fire officials said the cause of the fire remains under investigation. NAPA was closed to the public for about an hour as a result of the fire.

McMaster said the fire did not spread into the shop or to any nearby buildings. He said no injuries to civilians or fire officials were reported from the incident.

McMaster’s comments came after a City of DeKalb text alert was sent at about 12:10 p.m., saying “Lincoln Highway is currently shut down from Fourth Street to Seventh Street due to DeKalb Fire in the area.”

DeKalb Fire Battalion Chief Mike Thomas said roads were back open to the public as of 12:53 p.m. Thursday. He confirmed fire officials were still investigating the cause of the sign fire.

“Do not enter the structure,” Thomas said.

McMaster said at about 12:23 p.m. Thursday NAPA was working with the City’s building department Thursday afternoon to see when it would be safe for people to go back into the building.

“We want to make sure the building is safe for customers,” McMaster said.

However, despite exact cause of the fire still being unknown, McMaster reported at about 1:05 p.m. Thursday “the building is safe.”

“Electricity to the sign was isolated,” McMaster said. “The store is back open now.”