Man Injured in Fire at Joppa Auto Parts Business

From the Office of the State Fire Marshal:

HARFORD COUNTY, MD (March 10, 2014) – Deputy State Fire Marshals investigated the cause of a fire at Maryland Used Auto Parts located at 1009 Pulaski Highway.

The 2:04 p.m. blaze occurred on the exterior of the structure during salvage operations of a vehicle. Investigators determined an employee, Todd Smith (49) was drilling a gasoline tank when a spark ignited fuel vapors and caused a flash fire. Smith was treated at the scene and transported to Johns Hopkins Bayview Burn Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Nearly 40 firefighters from Joppa Magnolia, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Kingsville, Abingdon, Fallston, and Bel Air Fire Departments along with the Harford County Hazardous Materials Response Team responded to the scene. The fire was placed under control within 30 minutes after arrival on scene. The fire was contained to the exterior of the structure with three salvage vehicles consumed during the blaze. No other injuries were reported during the incident. Damage to the exterior of the structure and three vehicles is estimated at $10,000.

During the on-scene investigation, an inspection was conducted on the interior of the structure and multiple fire code violations were located resulting in an inspection by the Harford County Office of Permits and Inspections. The resulting inspection determined the business was operating without proper licensing. The business is temporarily closed until further notice.