Welding sparks ignited a gas leak at an automotive garage owned by retired NASCAR driver Sterling Marlin, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and burning three race cars inside, Marlin said.
The 2,500-square-foot garage in the 900 block of Mahon Road was destroyed, as were the cars, Maury County Fire Chief Mark Gandee said.
Marlin said the three cars belonged to his son-in-law Michael House, who intended to drive them in Nashville. Marlin estimated that the fire caused about $300,000 in damage.
Firefighters were called to the scene about 9 a.m. Friday. Smoke could be seen from several miles away, Gandee said. An investigation revealed a gas leak inside the building was ignited by welding sparks.
I guess what happened was there was a leak on a propane heater, and it just sparked up and took the whole building, Marlin said Friday.
Crews worked to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby buildings and fuel tanks, Gandee said.
A shop worker, who was inside when the fire started, was treated by Emergency Medical Services at the scene for minor injuries. He drove himself to Maury Regional Medical Center for further treatment, Gandee said.
No other injuries were reported.
http://columbiadailyherald.com/sections/news/local-news/fire-destroys-marlin%E2%80%99s-garage-race-cars.html
updated by @stars-radio: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM
