The Columbia Fire Department was dispatched to a commercial structure fire at 1812 Monroe Street, Mid-Missouri Auto Works, at 3:01pm this afternoon.  The 9-1-1 caller reported fire and smoke coming from a garage attached to the business.

Columbia firefighters arrived on the scene at 3:05 p.m. and found heavy smoke and fire coming from the garage on the west side of the business.  Firefighters performed an aggressive fire attack through the open garage and contained the fire to that area.  The incident was brought under control in approximately ten minutes.  Fire crews spent an additional hour overhauling the damage, removing burned drywall and charred insulation.  One employee was in the business at the time of the fire and no one was hurt.

Columbia Fire Investigator Lieutenant Brian Davison made an initial damage estimate of $75,000'. 

Three fire engines, a ladder and a rescue squad responded to the fire.