Volusia auto body shop destroyed in fire

PORT ORANGE, Fla. – Fire crews from Port Orange Fire Department and South Daytona Fire Department contained the blaze that shop employees said came out of nowhere.

"Just flames everywhere. Smoke all the way up in the sky," said Bonnie Scott, employee.

Cellphone video showed the flames that engulfed the Florida Truck Sales Auto Body Shop around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. Scott said she couldn't believe how fast the fire spread.

"We were just working away in the back office and one of the mechanics walked in and said the shop is on fire, get out," she said.

Scott said about 12 employees escaped the building as fire crews arrived to tackle the flames. Officials said the fire started in the wooden garage that sits behind the office.

"Everything's gone. There's chemicals and gas and tires and everything back there," she said.

News 6 was told welding work sparked the fire, which could be seen for miles. Another viewer sent in video that showed thick clouds of smoke.

"The flames were a good 100 feet up in the air and we could feel it in the front row from the back building," said Scott.

The Port Orange State Fire Marshal said the fire was accidental but the body shop that's been around for over 10 years, will have to be demolished.

"It's a little nerve-wracking because I care about the business and everything. I want to make sure that everything is going to be alright but it's definitely a total loss," said Scott.

Officials said the wooden structure that caught fire was an estimated value of $150,000 loss excluding the tools.