$350,000 Fire Ignited by Welding Torch
An auto worker using a welding torch started a fire at a Simi Valley industrial building Thursday, causing $350,000 in damage to his shop and its contents, officials said.
David Baker and Matt Adamo, co-owners of D&D; After Coach Enterprise, suffered first-degree burns and smoke inhalation in the blaze, said Dennis Miller, spokesman for the Ventura County Fire Department.
Baker was using a welding torch when it mixed with a chemical and set the shop on fire, Miller said.
The fire at the shop, which is in an industrial building in the 400 block of Easy Street, alerted workers at Steve’s Automotive Services, who called the Fire Department.
Thirty-four firefighters responded with six engines and two trucks, putting out the fire in about an hour, Miller said.
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