PFD Douses Barrel of Fuel Aflame at Auto Shop [PHOTOS]

Firefighters responded to an auto body shop on Willard Street Monday afternoon on a report of a fire involving gasoline. deal with a small barrel of gasoline that caught on fire underneath a vehicle.

Deputy Fire Chief Paul Hinchion said it was a good thing Diaz Racing, located in the industrial park off Pulaski Street, had a working sprinkler system, otherwise it would have been a very different story.

The received a central alarm just before 2:30 p.m. and mobilized five engines to the scene with what seemed like half the department. Three command vehicles were also on scene along with EMTs.

Upon arrival, firefighters were met with smoke and fire coming from inside the building, Hinchion said. They quickly pinpointed the source to a 5- to 10-gallon barrel of gasoline sitting underneath a black SUV on a car lift.

The hood on the vehicle was up, indicating it was being worked on at the time of the call. Hinchion said there were employees inside the shop when firefighters arrived.

The building sprinkler system kicked in and spread the flames somewhat, Hinchion said -- the reaction of water on gasoline. Firefighters then used a dry chemical fire suppressant to contain the flames before extinguishing them completely with chemical foam.

Hinchion said, all told, it took about 15 minutes to get the fire under control. There were no injuries. Roger Baker was also on scene, representing Rehab 5.

Hinchion said he wasn't sure how extensive the damage was to the SUV. Flames did spread across the underside of the vehicle before the fire was put out.

Building Commissioner Kevin Goggin and fire inspectors surveyed the damage as firefighters began to clear the area just after 3 p.m.