Fire destroyed the entire contents of a two-bay metal garage last Thursday at Stagecoach Market and Antiques on Route 17 in Gloucester, exploding gas tanks and tires in the process.
John Mason, owner for the past 20 years of The Real Deal, a business at Stagecoach that sells lawn equipment, appliances and other items, said he was working on a lawn tractor in front of the storage garage when the tractor backfired and ignited leaves that had piled up adjacent to the dirt drive.
The fire traveled through the leaves and began to ignite the tires on various lawnmowers and other equipment outside the garage, causing them to explode. Batteries and gas tanks also exploded, said Mason, adding, “Once you get one going, you can’t stop it.” The fire made its way inside the open garage and burned up all the equipment in there, as well. No other structures were damaged.
Mason said he had been in the process of cleaning up and having items hauled away. “This ain’t a happy day,” he said.
Gloucester Fi...