A late-night fire engulfed a warehouse housing El Palomar Auto Body Repair and Granite Customs in Indianapolis on Jan. 6, leaving the building severely damaged and displacing its owner and residents. The Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) confirmed the fire originated in the auto body repair section of the facility due to a mishap involving an oil heater.
The incident began around 10:35 p.m. when firefighters responded to reports of a blaze on the 2100 block of Adams Street. According to IFD spokesperson Rita Reith, the shop’s owner and two nephews had filled the oil heater with what they believed was suitable fuel, only to discover it had been mixed with gasoline.
“They were using what they thought was the appropriate fuel to put into the heater, but it was something that had already been mixed with gasoline,” Reith told FOX59 News. “So when they put it in and they lit it, it took off.”
The fire quickly consumed the structure, prompting firefighters to opt for exterior-only operations due to the intensity of the flames. Crews brought the fire under control within an hour and fully extinguished remaining hotspots by 2:35 a.m. Jan. 7.
While no civilians or firefighters sustained injuries, a tragic loss was reported -- five puppies and a dog that had been in the apartment within the shop perished in the fire.
“They just, you know… such an unfortunate circumstance for them,” Reith added. “It’s a good reminder to check what it is you’re using to put in a heater.”
Investigators have yet to determine the full extent of the damage to the property.
