Quick action by the Victoria Fire Department averted a larger fire and potential explosion at an early Saturday morning fire at the Fairfield Road Petro-Canada gas station.
Reports of a fire at the rear of 1600 Fairfield Rd., at St. Charles Street, came in shortly after midnight on Saturday.
Firefighters were met with vigorous flames fuelled by a collection of 100 tires, miscellaneous supplies and other equipment stored at the rear of the Petro-Canada gas station.
“We were really fortunate it didn’t spread to the building — it melted a bit of the inside of the garage,” said Bruce Whitten, owner of the station.
He said the potential for a larger fire or explosion “was huge,” as there is a propane tank on the other side of the building.
Eleven firefighters responded, along with a fire engine, rescue vehicle and ladder truck.
The fire was confined to the rear of the gas station, and the building sustained minimal damage. There were no injuries. Damage is estimated at $20,000.
While the fire department has classified the cause as unknown, pending further investigation, Whitten suspects that it might be the work of an arsonist.
“I don’t know, but I don’t see how it could be anything but,” he said. “I’m going to get video cameras put back there. We have some, but they don’t show that part of the building.”
