A customer took this image moments after the fire broke out. (Courtesy: Nancy Anderson)-
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KNOXVILLE (WATE) - A Knoxville muffler shop caught fire Thursday morning when an employee using a torch on a car hit a gas line. The employee was taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation.
A witness reported seeing an explosion, followed by thick black smoke pouring from Mighty Muffler, 3800 Western Ave. shortly before noon.
Firefighters say several small explosions resulted from the fire. Thick smoke made fighting the fire difficult.
All four lanes of Western Avenue were blocked to allow firefighters to lay hoses across the road.
