Less than 24 hours after fire and smoke engulfed Hanson Tire Service in downtown Albert Lea, the owners and employees of the business began cleaning up and assessing the damage.

On Wednesday morning, some of the mechanics were back at work in the rear service stalls of the business — which were not damaged — doing simpler tasks such as oil changes.

Part owner Dan Dorman said employees arrived at 7:30 a.m. Wednesday ready to work.

In the morning, an insurance adjuster came to meet with owners, and representatives from Service Master came to give a cleanup estimate for the front office and showroom, which were damaged mainly by smoke.

The Hanson Tire owners have started to order new equipment, which should be ready in a few weeks, he said.

On Tuesday, a fire broke out in the company’s main service bay, when mechanics were changing a fuel pump. A droplight fell, sparked and ignited some gas that had drained from the pump.

Though the fire grew quickly, the Albert Lea Fire Department — a block away — arrived swiftly and extinguished the fire before it spread to the front office or back shop.

The company’s six main service bays received most of the damage from the fire, and the front office received smoke damage. Three automobiles being serviced at the time of the fire were a total loss.

One of those automobile owners was in Hanson Tire on Wednesday morning. Jan Birkhofer said she was actually in the waiting area when the fire started.

“My primary thought is that I’m just glad nobody got hurt,” Birkhofer said.

Though the loss of the vehicle is inconvenient, she said, Hanson Tire “just bends over backward” to make sure everything is OK.

She noted that part owner Wanda Dorman offered her car for Birkhofer to drive home Tuesday evening.

Both Wanda and Dan Dorman said since the incident happened there has been an outpouring of support from community members and business owners. People have brought food for the employees.

“I can’t believe how many people, even our competitors, who have called to offer support,” Dan Dorman said.

“We are lucky for the community we have — for the people who have called, brought in food,” his mother added.

Wanda said that Tuesday morning, before the fire, she was saying how she needs to “thank the good Lord” more in her life.

“No one was hurt,” she said. “I still can’t believe it.”

Hanson Tire has 15 employees, none of which will be displaced as a result of the fire.

They will be kept to help with the cleanup and, of course, to be there when the business returns to full operation, Wanda said.

Hanson Tire, at 505 E. Main St., is owned three ways between Junior and Wanda Dorman, Dan and Mary Jo Dorman, and Kelvin and Amy Rehnelt.