Inspection Detail

Inspection: 111269338 - E & J Auto Repair

Inspection Information - Office: Dosh Tacoma Service Location, Tacoma, Wa

Investigation Summary

At E&J Repair, Employee #1 and one of the owners were removing the tires from a Cadillac that was going to be scrapped. A tow truck driver for F&J Hauling was on site to tow the Cadillac. Employee #1 and the owner were working in the back part of the auto bay, farthest from the open doors. The tow truck driver started draining the gasoline from the gas tank of the Cadillac into a bucket sitting on the floor. There was an open flame kerosene heater in use in the center auto bay at the back of the bay. A fire started. The owner and the tow truck driver ran outside, but Employee #1 ran toward a washroom area in the back corner of the auto bays. There was no exit from this location. The owner and the tow truck driver used fire extinguishers in an attempt to either put the fire out or knock the fire down enough so that Employee #1 could escape outside. They were unsuccessful and as a result Employee #1 had to run through the fire to safety. While he was running through the fire, his clothing caught fire and he was burned on about 30 percent of his body, mainly on the legs and arms.

Keywords: BURN, OPEN FLAME, FLAMMABLE VAPORS, HEATER, WORK RULES, FIRE, ARM, GASOLINE, INATTENTION, LEG