MASON CITY – An explosion rocked Charlie’s Auto, leading to an intense fire, the Mason City fire department said Tuesday.
The Mason City Fire Department responded to a report of an explosion at 818 S. Federal at 2:45 PM, says Fire Marshal Jamey Medlin. The building is owned by Charles and Julie West.
Fire crews arrived within 3 minutes and found the building fully involved in fire and the west side of the structure and roof had collapsed. Dispatch reported that all occupants were out of the building and accounted for as fire department crew were arriving on scene. The Mason City Fire Department used two aerial trucks and several master streams to extinguish the fire. Highway 65 was closed during fire operations.
The cause of the explosion and fire was a liquid propane fueled vehicle being serviced in the building. The propane leaked from the vehicle tank through a fuel pump and found an ignition source with in the building.
“The Fire Department is grateful no one was hurt in the explosion as there was very little time to escape,” Mr. Medlin said.
More video from the Charlie’s Auto fire…
Posted by NorthIowaToday.com on Tuesday, January 12, 2016