A Thursday blaze at Mitchell Automotive, 105 Centennial Ave., east of I-45 in Ennis, did extensive damage to a recreational vehicle and five cars inside a garage bay. The facility is located adjacent to the Ennis Feed Store, a U-Haul dealer and Dana’s Grooming Room (formerly Unclaimed Freight). According to Fire Marshall Chad Wester the fire is believed to have originated due to an electrical short between the refrigerator and the water heater. The Gary Mitchell racing family uses the RV when traveling to weekend events. Asked if the vehicle was a total loss, Wester at first said yes, then pointed out that they were able to start the engine and drive it outside. Three race cars and two others that were being serviced received smoke and cosmetic damages. While three fire engines and one with a ladder arrived on the scene, only one was used. The fire was confined to the RV and was extinguished in 10-15 minutes. No injuries were reported.
