WINTER HAVEN, Fla. – A massive fire ripped through the service department of Jarrett-Gordon Ford on Tuesday morning, destroying nearly two dozen vehicles and shutting down a major traffic artery for several hours.
Emergency crews were called to the dealership at 3015 Lake Alfred Road (Highway 17) around 10:40 a.m. on January 20. When firefighters from Winter Haven, Polk County, and Lake Alfred arrived, they found the back service bays fully engulfed in flames.
The fire moved fast, spreading to approximately 20 vehicles inside the structure.
Responding units faced a volatile situation. In addition to the burning cars, crews had to contend with significant hazards on-site, including various fuel sources and a stockpile of 2,000 gallons of oil. Despite these dangers, firefighters managed to contain the blaze to the service bays, bringing the fire under control in about 35 minutes.
Key Updates:
- Injuries: Thankfully, the building was evacuated quickly. Officials report zero injuries to dealership staff or first responders.
- Current Status: While the main fire is out, crews remain on the scene this afternoon to handle “mop-up” operations and ensure no hot spots reignite.
- Investigation: The State Fire Marshal has arrived to coordinate with Winter Haven Fire investigators to determine the cause of the blaze.
Traffic Alert: Hwy 17 (Lake Alfred Rd) in Winter Haven has all NB lanes open and one SB lane open. There still may be minor delays, so drivers should use caution in the area.
ORIGINAL REPORT: Emergency crews are swarming the Jarrett-Gordon Ford dealership this afternoon after a fire broke out in the facility’s service bay building, forcing authorities to close down a major stretch of Highway 17.
Units from the Winter Haven Fire Department, Polk County Fire, and the Winter Haven Police Department are currently on the scene battling the situation. While the full extent of the damage isn’t yet clear, the response has been significant enough to halt traffic in both directions.
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The road closure is causing major headaches for local drivers.
Highway 17 is completely blocked off for anyone approaching from Havendale Boulevard or Highway 92. Authorities have not given an estimated time for reopening the roadway and are urging commuters to steer clear of the area.
Police advise drivers to seek alternate routes immediately to avoid getting stuck in the gridlock while crews work to contain the fire.
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