By JOSH AULT
6 News Reporter
HARROGATE (WATE) - Eyewitnesses say several large explosions were heard early Monday when a Harrogate truck repair shop caught fire.
The fire at Hunley Repair Shop, also known as Imperial Trucking, started at about 6 a.m. The facility is located on Londonderry Road, just off State Highway 63.
"It was pretty loud," said neighbor Vickie Gibbs. "It was louder than thunder. When it shakes the house, it's pretty loud."
Gibbs says the explosion caused a mushroom cloud above the business.
"We just kept hearing numerous explosions," said Gibbs. "It went pretty fast."
Residents of a nearby home were evacuated. They were allowed back several hours after the fire started.
"My son had called me and told me there was an explosion," said neighbor Lynn Treece. "I called and found out if everything was OK here."
Treece says the explosions woke his wife up. He says he remembers the building being built back in the 1960s.
No one was in the business when the fire started and no injuries were reported.
A tanker truck, three vehicles, and either a boat or jet ski were destroyed. Another truck outside the business was slightly damaged by the fire.
Firefighters from Harrogate and nearby fire departments were called to help put out the fire.
Authorities have not yet said what caused the fire, but it is under investigation.
Harrogate fire officials say the 22-year-old business repairs fuel tankers.
The fire at Hunley Repair Shop, also known as Imperial Trucking, started at about 6 a.m.
