MIKE GLENN
Houston Chronicle
Reprinted with Permission

A fast-moving fire on Monday gutted part of a car dealership in west Houston owned by Tennessee Titans owner Bud Adams, Jr.

The blaze erupted about 3 p.m. at West Point Lincoln Mercury on the Katy Freeway near Kirkwood. The two-alarm fire was confined to a building that houses a used car showroom, Houston Fire Department officials said.

"We have confirmed with the on-scene management that everyone has evacuated," said Assistant Chief Kevin Alexanderwith the Houston Fire Department.

The fire sent a massive plume of black smoke rolling into the sky that could be seen for several miles.

Sharon White was returning home after spending the day volunteering at a Houston food bank when she passed the burning dealership. At that point, no HFD crews had arrived at the scene, White said.

"The smoke was just pouring back out of this building. It was the worst fire I've ever seen," White said.

A large section of the roof collapsed as the fire grew more intense. HFD officials said about 100 firefighters eventually took part in the battle.

Rush-hour traffic along the westbound Katy Freeway came to a crawl as curious motorists slowed down to watch the fire.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation. HFD officials at the scene said they didn't know where in the building the blaze may have started.

Adams did not return calls for comment.