Gasoline Leak Ignited By Kerosene Heater

Two men are lucky to be alive after a kerosene heater used for warmth ignited a gasoline leak in a mechanic shop Wednesday afternoon. JCS Medical Transportation President Judi Wright said she had just arrived home when she was called and told one of the garage bays for her business and several vehicles were on fire.

“I just started crying and I have cried on and off since because we built this business from nothing,” she said.

Wright said the business has more than 50 vehicles and provides transportation for Medicaid patients to doctors’ visits.

Chuck Good said he and another employee were working on a couple of the business’ vans in the garage at 8228 Paluxy Drive when the fire occurred.

“We had been using the kerosene heater to heat the shop, but a gasoline leak developed on one of the vehicles, and when the vapors reached the heater it ignited,” he said.

Good said he and the other employee saw it at the same time and both ran from the building as it became fully engulfed in fire.

Firefighters worked to extinguish the fire and finally got it under control shortly before 4:30 p.m.

“That fire was really going and we are lucky,” Good said.

Wright said those using her company’s services should not worry about transportation to appointments.

“We will be running as we do everyday, and we will get them to their appointments tomorrow,” she said.
By Kenneth Dean in The Tyler Morning Telegraph
Photo by Jaime R. Carrero in The Tyler Morning Telegraph
Video report from KYTX News, Tyler