A fire at an auto shop located in an industrial mall in London was started after a technician accidentally ignited fuel while using a torch, according to CTV London.
Investigators told CTV London the technician tried to douse the fire, but it was unsuccessful, with heat and fire damage extending throughout the garage and office area. The vehicle being worked on at the time is a "total loss," as well as other tools and equipment in the shop.
The owner of the shop suffered smoke inhalation, but no other injuries were reported. The damages to the Lambeth Service Centre were estimated $200,000, according to fire investigators.
Shop fires are not uncommon; there have been several this year.
Earlier this year, a shop fire in Billings, Montana, also destroyed a shop, although the cause was undetermined due to the extensive fire damage, estimated at $750,000 in damages.
Another auto repair garage in Grafton, New Hampshire, was destroyed by fire.
“He had waste oil in there, tons of wood, tons of plastic," state fire investigator Sean Plumer told Union Leader. "There was fuel in there. That all contributed to the growth of the fire, no doubt."
