Tampa Fire Rescue: Car Wash Equipment Starts Fire at Gas Station

Shortly after 11 p.m. Thursday, Tampa firefighters responded to a fire car wash building at the at 902 E. Hillsborough Ave., according to a news release by Capt. Lonnie Benniefield.

Fire crews quickly attacked the fire and were able to contain it to just the car wash area, keeping the fire from spreading to nearby exposures, Benniefield said. The fire was under control within 20 minutes and no injuries were reported.

Tampa Fire Marshal Investigator Joe Hotz determined this to be an accidental fire due faulty mechanical equipment, Benniefield said. Investigator Hotz also instructed the station's management not to use the gas pumps until the company has the gas pumping system checked for safety. Total damages were estimated at $70,000.