Friday, Aug. 15, 2008

Fire destroys Sunnyside building

By Franny White and Kai-Huei Yau, Herald staff writers

SUNNYSIDE -- A building that housed two Sunnyside automotive businesses was destroyed by fire Thursday morning, with one man suffering minor burns.

The fire started around 8:45 a.m. at In and Out Auto Repair, 349 S. Sixth St., while a mechanic inside worked on a fuel pump, said Sunnyside Fire Chief Aaron Markham. It's unclear how the fire started, but Markham suspects spilled fuel liquid or vapor was ignited by some kind of heat source.

Francisco Ramos, who was visiting the shop to check on his car's repairs, was burned on the arms, said Ivan Ruiz, owner of the adjoining business, Ruiz Mobile Auto Detail. Markham said a mechanic at In and Out was burned when pieces of burning roof collapsed and fell on him.

The injured man drove himself to Sunnyside Community Hospital, where a hospital spokesman said Ramos had been treated and released.

The fire spread via the roof from In and Out to Ruiz Mobile in a separate section of the building, Markham said. The building was a total loss.

About $150,000 in damage was done to the building and eight cars around it that were scorched or burned. Three more cars, cash and tools inside the shop also burned.

Neither business had insurance, but the building owner did.

Ruiz doesn't know if he'll be able to recoup his losses.

In and Out owner Jose Luis Arroyo did not return a call Thursday.

* Franny White: 582-1542; fwhite@tricityherald.com