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SCHERERVILLE — The pungent smell of smoke hung in the air Wednesday at Stan's Auto Salvage, but a blanket of snow covered most visible signs of a blaze that consumed more than an acre of the yard Tuesday and burned through the night.

Chip Lukasik, whose father started the Schererville business in 1961, said the fire "ruined a good night for at least 100 firefighters."

"It's just an unfortunate situation for everyone involved," Lukasik said, as he stood behind a counter in the business's office Wednesday afternoon.

He said firefighters did "an excellent job" by containing the fire and preventing it from spreading to any of the buildings on the property at 7967 Wicker Ave. He was encouraged by the outpouring of support he's received, he said.

The fire burned numerous smashed vehicles, officials said. Its cause remained under investigation Wednesday, Assistant Schererville Fire Chief Robert Patterson said.

Lukasik said the fire was called in by a passer-by on Alexander Street, which runs behind the business to the east. Several employees were on scene at the time, but they learned about it from emergency crews, he said.

Patterson said firefighters were called to the business about 7:20 p.m. and found a large fire.