Fire at Main Street Auto Repair Shop Leads to Explosion

A fire that broke out at an auto repair shop on Main Street Friday afternoon led to an explosion and several large plumes of smoke that were visible for blocks around, but no serious injuries were reported. 

According to Assistant Chief Bill Olsen of the , a report of an explosion came in at 3:39 p.m. Friday afternoon at at 185 Main St. Olsen said firefighters arrived to find a large fire raging at a three-bay garage in the rear of the business. 

Witnesses and neighbors in the area reported being able to see the smoke and flames for blocks around. 

"It was just totally engulfed in flames," Kevin Roley, a student at the who was just getting out of school at the time of the fire said of the auto repair shop's garage. 

Olsen said the department was able to subdue the garage fire fairly quickly and without any serious injuries, but the garage was destroyed by the fire. Olsen said there were cars inside the garage at the time, but he did not know how many or if they led to the explosion. He said the department was still investigating the cause of the blaze. 

The auto body repair shop itself appeared to be relatively unscathed by the fire, although the fire did spread to the garage and attic of a two-family home at 20-22 Henry Street, which displaced a family. The Manchester Fire, Rescue and EMS extinguished the blaze at the Henry Street residence without injuries, Olsen said. 

Olsen said when 8th District Utilities firefighters initially arrived on the scene they believed there might have been two people trapped inside the garage, the owner of the business and an employee, but that fire personnel had been in contact with both since the fire and determined that neither were present at the time of the blaze. He said two firefighters suffered minor injuries battling the blaze. 

"It was a pretty big fire, but the bottom line is we just put it out like we usually do," Olsen said. 

Are you a fan of Manchester Patch? Then why not show us the love by following us on Facebook or liking us on Twitter. It's the best way to get updates on all the news and information in Manchester as it happens. And don't forget to sign up for our Daily Newsletter, which brings you all the latest news and info on Manchester Patch direct to your inbox each morning.