MDS Automotive Catches Fire in Kingsley, Crews Call the Business - Northern Michigan's News Leader

MDS Automotive Catches Fire in Kingsley, Crews Call the Business a Total Loss

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For Melissa and Mike Schichtel, MDS Automotive is more than just a car repair shop, it's part of their family. So, you can imagine how the two felt when they saw flames and thick, black smoke billowing out of their shop. The shop had two employees.

A preliminary investigation shows that a work light fell onto some gasoline and caught fire. Three customers' cars were inside and destroyed. They're working to notify those customers. Crews say this wasn't an easy fire to put out; chemicals inside fueled the fire causing several explosions.

The owners nearly lost more than just their shop, their home is right next door. The house remains nearly untouched, except for maybe some melted siding. Maybe the only positive in all of this.

Reporting in Grand Traverse County, Sara Simnitch and Photojournalist, Jeremy Erickson.

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