A fire that was caused by a fuel leak on one of the cars in the shop, destroyed Mr. Auto Car in Kennesaw, GA. The fire also damaged more than a dozen cars. Early estimates place the damage at more than $500,000.
Below is the article as it appeared on the WSB-TV Channel 2 website.
Fire Destroys Repair Shop; Classic Cars
Posted: 12:26 pm EDT April 14, 2010
Updated: 12:56 pm EDT April 14, 2010
KENNESAW, GA — Fire destroyed Mr. Auto Care in downtown Kennesaw Tuesday, but Michael Peters showed up for work in his uniform anyway. The fire started from a fuel leak in one of the cars, according to Peters.
View Photos: Mr. Auto Care Fire
"I grabbed the fire extinguisher and was going toward it to put it out. It was so hot, it was burning me, my hair. My hands got a couple of burns on it," Peters told Channel 2’s Richard Elliot.
The intense fire destroyed or damaged more than a dozen cars, including Peter’s prize possession: a 1969 Dodge Charger he was restoring to look like the "General Lee" from the 1970’s TV series "Dukes of Hazzard." Flames cooked the front end and interior.
Bob Stewart saw the flames and grabbed his video camera. "It was absolutely amazing," Stewart said. "I really was a little afraid of an explosion. Couldn’t imagine what might’ve happened or who could’ve gotten hurt."
Peters told Channel 2’s Richard Elliot that he leases the building and has renter’s insurance, but isn’t sure how much it will cover of the estimated half-million dollar loss. He says the owners of the cars damaged in the blaze have been understanding and more concerned for his well-being than their vehicles.
Peters says he wants to rebuild or start a new auto repair shop, but isn’t sure if he’ll be able to do that.
To read this article on the WSB-TV Channel 2 website, visit http://www.wsbtv.com/news/23148803/detail.html.