Over $1 million in damage as Burlington firefighters continue to battle a fire inside a car dealership on Appleby Line, just north of Harvester Road.

First arriving crews encountered heavy smoke and flames visible from the north side of the building, after responding just after 10 p.m. Thursday night to the Good Cars Only auto dealership.

Heavy black smoke could be seen for kilometres as flames broke through a portion of the roof area, firefighters were forced to withdraw from their interior firefighting efforts and take-up a defensive operation as one of the exterior walls threatened to collapse.

Halton police temporarily closed westbound Harvester Road in the immediate vicinity of the fire, it has since reopened, Halton EMS are standing by as a precaution in case of any injuries.

By 1:30 a.m. firefighters were able to get the upper hand on the fire and declare the fire under control.

Fire crews are expected to remain on scene throughout the night extinguishing hot spots inside the structure and smouldering vehicles outside.

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