Extensive damage reported to Sharon Township car wash after vehicle fire; no one injured

A Sharon Township car wash sustained significant damage after a minivan caught fire inside its tunnel Friday. No injuries were reported.

Tara Baugher, vice president of Rainforest Car Wash, said the company's car wash at 2700 Medina Road has been closed as officials evaluate the extent of the damage.

"We sustained significant damage to our tunnel," Baugher said. "We are glad fire and rescue arrived when they did; they were able to contain it."

Preliminary information indicated a vehicle malfunction caused the blaze, but fire officials are still investigating, according to a news release by Rainforest Car Wash.

Fire department officials from Sharon Township, the primary responders, could not be reached for comment. According to a post on Facebook, the fire department was called at 2:24 p.m. By the time firefighters arrived, the vehicle's driver and the employees had evacuated.

Granger Township Fire Department, Wadsworth Fire and EMS Department, and the Medina County Sheriff's Office provided mutual aid.

"We are thankful for our staff, who acted quickly," Baugher said, adding she was grateful for the swift response of the emergency crews.

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Baugher said the utilities had to be shut off for safety reasons, and the facility's tunnel will need to be rebuilt. The cost of the damage is still being calculated.

"We anticipate some major updates," Baugher said. "I'm not sure when we will reopen, we are still evaluating the damage."

The Medina location's customers who have unlimited monthly washes will have their monthly charge reduced to a penny, Baugher said. In addition, they can use their membership at other locations. Rainforest Car Wash has locations in Brunswick, Cleveland Heights, Avon and Mentor.

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Reporter April Helms can be reached at ahelms@thebeaconjournal.com

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Car wash forced to close after extensive damage from vehicle fire