Fire apparently started when the owner of the business was working on a car and fuel dripped onto a droplight, police said. Watch video
FRANKLIN -- A Thursday morning fire at a township auto repair business injured the owner and damaged several cars, police said.
At 9:37 a.m., police received a 911 call reporting a fire at Classic Motors, located on Route 27 in the Franklin Park section of the township, police said. Upon arrival, officers found the structure fully engulfed in flames, police said.
Firefighters from Franklin and surrounding jurisdictions responded to fight the blaze, police said. The fire was extinguished at about 11 a.m., police said. Mutual Aid Coordinators from Somerset County and representatives from the Somerset County Haz-Mat Team were on scene as well, police said.
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An initial investigation revealed that the 68-year-old owner was working on a vehicle in the building when the fire started, police said. It appears that fuel came in contact with a droplight and ignited, police said.
The owner attempted to extinguish the fire, but it quickly burned out of control, police said. He was transported to an area hospital for smoke inhalation, police said.
There were several cars in the building at the time of the fire, police said. Route 27 is expected to be closed into the early afternoon hours while firefighters continue to extinguish hot spots in the structure, police said.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.