$1.5M Fire Erupts At Hagerstown Truck Shop After Gas Vapors Ignite: Officials

According to state fire investigators, a mechanic siphoning gasoline unintentionally set off an explosion, causing a fast-moving two-alarm fire that destroyed a Hagerstown towing and repair company and cost $1.5 million in damage.

Main Truck Repair & Towing, Inc.

According to the Maryland State Fire Marshal, the fire started at Main Truck Towing & Repair Inc. on Label Lane at around 4:23 p.m. on Thursday, July 24.

According to investigators, the mechanic took fuel from a diesel motor, igniting flammable fumes that caused the fire to start in the back car bay.

The mechanic was taken to Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center in Baltimore for treatment after suffering severe burns to his lower body.

One of the two injured individuals was sent to Meritus Medical Center.

The two-story business building was destroyed by the flames, which also caused damage to its contents.

According to fire officials, the entire loss is estimated to be $1.5 million, including $500,000 in contents and $1 million in structural damage.

It took crews approximately an hour to contain the two-alarm fire, which attracted nearly 100 firemen from throughout Washington County.

The fire marshal stated that the building did not have functional sprinkler systems or smoke alarms at the time. There have been no arrests.

Investigations about the fire are still ongoing.