Nov 19, 2009 9:02 pm US/Eastern
Explosion Destroys Gas Station Shop In NJ
Repair Center, Convenient Store Destroyed In Fiery Morning Blast
MILLBURN, N.J. (CBS) ―
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An explosion destroyed a repair shop and convenient store at an Exxon station in Millburn on Nov. 19, 2009.
CBS
A fiery explosion tore through a gas station's repair center in Millburn on Thursday morning, injuring a mechanic, but fortunately the flames did not spread to the station's pumps.
Officials said the blast occurred after a fire broke out about 10:30 a.m. in a car that a mechanic was working on at the Exxon station on 132 Millburn Ave.
The mechanic suffered burns and was taken by ambulance to St. Barnabus Hospital in Livingston.
Fire officials responded to the scene and had the blaze contained a short time later. Incredibly, the fire did not affect the station's gas pumps, though the station's repair center, main office, and convenient store were destroyed.
Witnesses reported hearing numerous explosions. About two-thirds of the roof of the building collapsed, almost appearing as if much of it had melted in the flames.
"There were three or four big booms and one of my secretaries ran in and said, 'The gas station just blew up!'" said Dr. Ed Decker, who works near the station. "There was just black smoke and big flames and four or five booms, and everyone evacuated from the building."
The mechanic was treated for minor burns, and no one else was injured.
Investigators ruled the blaze accidental.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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