Prized Mustang saved from fire

(Northern Illinois Classics Photo)

A working smoke alarm and fast-acting firefighters recently saved a prized car collection in Illinois.

Among the cars that were saved from the flames was the first Mustang ever built — a 1964 1/2 convertible that is also billed as the first Mustang ever sold to the public.

The Wauconda Fire Department preserved millions of dollars in vintage cars and memorabilia Feb. 9 after a fire started at Northern Illinois Classic Auto.

Authorities said the Wauconda Fire Department responded to the working fire alarm at 7:34 p.m. and found a fire burning under the hood of a 1968 Oldsmobile. The blaze was quickly extinguished and no other cars caught fire.

The vintage Mustang is listed for sale for $5.5 million on the dealership Web site,

Initial damages to the building were about $250,000, according to published reports.

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