Reports of explosions and shooting flames brought fire-rescue units from three departments to a smoky auto parts yard next to the Swap Shop on Saturday night.
No injuries were reported in the blaze, which broke out at 8:55 p.m. at All Auto Parts at 1157 NW 31st Ave.
The yard is adjacent to the Swap Shop drive-in theater, and two of 13 screens were evacuated as a precaution after firefighters noticed a 250-pound propane tank close to the fire.
"We though it was something at the Swap Shop until the first engine arrived," said Broward Sheriff's Office Fire-Rescue Battalion Chief Peter DeJesse. "We thought maybe the snack shop had blown or something."
The fire broke out close to a hydraulic car crusher, with several cars catching fire. Units from Broward County, Fort Lauderdale and Oakland Park had the fire under control almost immediately, but Broward fire-rescue spokesman Todd LeDuc said investigators wouldn't be able to get close to the scene until early today.
