$1M In Damage From Bel Air Auto Shop Blaze: Fire Marshal

BEL AIR, MD — There was $1 million in damage after fire broke out at a Bel Air business Thursday, according to officials. The blaze was at an auto body shop, and the fire marshal ruled it accidental.

Firefighters were called to Weavers Body & Fender in the 700 block of Belair Road, according to Rich Gardiner, spokesman for the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association. Crews from Harford and Baltimore counties were dispatched to assist with the response after noon on Thursday, May 9.

An employee at Weaver's discovered the fire in the commercial auto body repair garage at 12:41 p.m. and notified authorities, according to investigators. Officials said that the blaze began inside a garage near a vehicle that was being repaired, when objects ignited amidst welding activity.

About 40 firefighters responded.

The fire had been placed under control after 1 p.m., Gardiner said. There were no injuries reported.

These roads were closed during the emergency response, according to Gardiner:

• Tollgate Road between Baltimore Pike and Boulton Street
• Baltimore Pike between Tollgate Road and Lake Fanny Road

There was an estimated $1 million in damage, including structural damage as well is items lost inside the building. The fire marshal said other vehicles were in the garage at the time.

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