Fire damages business in Elkhart

ELKHART, IN. - Firefighters in Elkhart are investigating a fire at a business.

The fire started early Thursday morning at Charlie's Paint & Repair on Forrest Hills Avenue.

Investigators say the building is a total loss. The cause of the fire is unknown, but crews believe it started in the front of the building. 

Five fire departments responded including Oslo, Cleveland, Bristol, Porter Township and Concord. The Elkhart Sheriff Department was also on scene directing traffic.  

Crews stayed on the scene around four hours. The fire was put out by 7:30 Thursday morning. 

Johnson Street and County Road 9 were blocked by the investigation for hours, but opened around 7:30 Thursday morning. 

The owners of the building say several cars were inside and burnt in the fire.