EDMONTON – An Edmonton man escaped serious injury Monday morning after a fire broke out in his Old Strathcona business.
“I was in the shop. I was actually working on a car, one of my own vehicles, customizing it,” said owner Desmond Gray, Alberta Mobile Auto Body Customizing.
“Apparently the owner/operator was working, doing some welding on one of his vehicles inside the shop, and as he was welding a piece of metal, hot metal, it pierced the gas line I guess and gas ignited,” said Cpt. Reg Axani, Edmonton Fire Rescue.
Gray called 911 after attempting to extinguish the flames himself.
When fire crews arrived smoke and flames were shooting out of the building.
Seven units battled the blaze.
HAZMAT was also called to the scene because of the dangerous material inside the building.
“Nothing was compromised, but there is significant damage inside the building,” explained Axani.
The damage was contained to the building, but it’s a devastating loss for Gray, who says his insurance expired last month.
“That’s my life savings.”
There’s no word yet on the cost of the damage.