A heater mistakenly filled with oil that contained gasoline sparked a massive structure fire Monday night.
The owner of the auto body shop, who lives in an apartment in the buiding, told firefighters after filling a heater with oil, he smelled gas.
“They were using what they thought was the appropriate fuel to put into the heater, but it was something that had already been mixed with gasoline. So when they put it in and they lit it, it took off," Indianapolis Battalion Chief Rita Reith told Fox 59.
It took around an hour for crews to get the fire under control, and firefighters were able to eliminate remaining hotspots at 2:35 a.m.
While there were no humans hurt, the fire claimed a dog and five puppies.
Reith said the tragic incident is a reminder to make sure the type of fuel is correct for the heater.
