From his black Dodge Ram, car racer Kim Duell on Tuesday surveyed the fire-ravaged remains of valuable classic cars that lay underneath the ruins of Pro-Circuit Autosports & Restoration Inc. He gazed at the destruction in disbelief and then, one by one, identified the vehicles: a vintage Mustang, a Camaro, a T-Bird.
Driving to the local auto shop was a ritual for Duell, and his longtime racing buddy and shop owner, Steve Mothon, always had the parts he was looking for.
Duell had stopped by the shop Tuesday afternoon to pick up a carburetor adapter for his son Scott's 350 Chevy. Instead, he found the place in ruins. A fire had destroyed much of the popular classic and muscle car shop late Monday evening.
Fire investigators said Tuesday lightning may have caused the fire, which heavily damaged the Burnt Hills auto restoration shop and destroyed several vintage and show cars.
"That's too bad. He (Mothon) really catered to the local guys who race," Duell said.
Residents near Pro-Circuit, at 1260 Saratoga Road, told authorities that a severe lightning storm passed through the area shortly before the fire was reported about 10 p.m., said Ed Tremblay, Saratoga County fire coordinator.
Neighbors told investigators they heard a loud lightning strike nearby that shook the houses.
Tremblay said he is awaiting weather reports to verify the location of the storm before he determines the official cause of the fire.
The top floor of the two-story auto restoration shop caved in, collapsing on four classic cars in the first-floor workshop. Only the charred skeletons remained of the cars, including a vintage Mustang and national champion Nissan twin-turbo show car.
Tremblay said the fire might have been accelerated by gas containers and tanks along with other chemicals stored in the workshop. Fire walls protected part of the 40,000 square-foot business, he said, saving several other classic cars and some of the inventory.
Mothon, owner of the shop, estimated the fire caused $500,000 in damage. He said he has insurance but has not determined the extent of his coverage.
Mothon, 44, of Galway, said he started the business six years ago after years of racing sprint cars. His business has grown to serve customers throughout the East Coast, he said, but was largely supported by racing enthusiasts from the Albany-Saratoga Speedway in Malta.
Mothon, who runs the business alone, said he closed the shop at 6:30 p.m. Monday. Four hours later, he learned from a phone call that the building was on fire. He said he hopes to rebuild the shop.
