Tenn. Firefighter Suffers Facial Burns in Car Wash Fire

Forty-two emergency responders and 19 pieces of fire and emergency medical services equipment responded to the call at a Memphis car wash. One firefighter was hospitalized for facial burns.

Source The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tenn.

May 2, 2013

May 02--A commercial carwash near the Memphis International Airport caught fire Tuesday, injuring one firefighter and causing $175,000 worth of structural damage.

The fire broke out just after 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at 1709 E. Brooks Road, where firefighters who arrived at the scene reported seeing heavy flames inside the industrial carwash building.

Forty-two emergency responders and 19 pieces of fire and emergency medical services equipment responded to the call, according the Memphis Fire Department.

There were no civilian injuries reported, although a firefighter who sustained facial burns was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

Fire investigators determined Wednesday that a motor malfunction inside the carwash sparked the blaze, which caused $175,000 worth of smoke, fire and water damage to the building.