VIDEO: Kalona Tire fire sparked by explosion, employees say

UPDATE: Firefighters from Kalona and Wellman spent more than four hours Tuesday on the scene of a fire at Kalona Tire, 717 F Ave., on the east side of town.

An employee said there was an explosion at the business around 1:30 p.m., but all the employees and customers got out safely.

Thick black smoke billowed into the air from burning tires. Firefighters tore apart the structure, including the siding and roof, to gain access to flames scattered about the building. Crews were fighting the fire from both inside and out.

Neighboring businesses didn't appear to be affected.

Kalona Fire Chief Steve Yotty said a cause for the fire had not been determined last night, but it was not considered suspicious. He said the building and its contents were a total loss, with damage estimated around $1 million.