Berlin Fire Chief Ralph Laney puts out hotspots in pine straw at Shaddix Motors on Alabama 69 Friday afternoon. A grass fire spread from a neighboring home and torched eight vehicles at the car lot.

A simple pine straw fire quickly spread from a residential yard into a neighboring car lot, torching eight vehicles Friday afternoon near the Cullman City limits. 

No one was hurt, and miraculously, the blaze didn’t ignite a nearby propane tank or cause any of the automobiles to explode. However, it did put a dent in Shaddix Motors’ inventory on Alabama 69.

“We just painted the truck,” said owner Danny Shaddix, referring to a 2011 model. “We had taken the seats out and pressure washed them. They’re all nice and clean, drying in the shop. But now the truck is gone.”

Firefighters from Berlin, Goldridge, Fairview, Baileyton and Cullman descended on the fire as it threatened to spread to more vehicles and the dealership’s office. Fire trucks and other emergency personnel vehicles blocked the busy highway just as school traffic began to ramp up. 

Shortly before 3 p.m., crews had the fire extinguished, but vehicles still crawled along Alabama 69 as firefighters packed up gear and moved out. 

Shaddix said he’s been selling cars at the site for 13 years, and he hoped homeowners’ insurance would cover the loss of the eight vehicles on his lot.