Flying Ace to close its doors until further notice after vehicle caught fire inside car wash

A car wash in Riverside will remain closed until further notice after a vehicle caught fire while it was in the cycle at Flying Ace Car Wash on Airway Road late Friday afternoon, according to fire officials.

>>PHOTOS: Several crews are on scene of a fire at a business on Airway Drive in Riverside

“We are grateful that our customers and team members were evacuated with no injuries,” Flying Ace said in a social media post. “Words cannot express our appreciation to the incredible first responders for their assistance.”

Fire crews were dispatched to the area of Airway Road and Woodman Drive around 5:30 p.m. on report of a car fire.

Crews found heavy flames at the car wash, 4867 Airway Road, flames that were being fanned by high wind and the fact that the car wash structure was open at both ends.

“The business will be closed for for quite some time,” Riverside Fire Chief Daniel Stitzel told News Center 7. “At a minimum, the business would need to be completely gutted and rebuilt, possibly completely torn down and rebuilt.”

The estimate damage to the business is approximately $500,000, Stitzel said.

No injuries were reported.

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An employee pressed the emergency stop button which stopped the car wash and the driver was able to exit the car and buildings safely, according to Stitzel.

Employees “absolutely did the right thing” in doing what they were trained to do, Riverside Fire Battalion Chief Brian Taylor told News Center 7. “The person was able to escape the car and is still around today to talk about it.”

Wind is considered a factor in the growth of the fire and made it more difficult to extinguish but was brought under control within 30 minutes, Stitzel said.

The fire is reported accidental as it originated in the car’s engine.

The car is considered a total loss and worth approximately $8,000, according to Stitzel.

Mutual aid was provided from Wright Patterson, Dayton and the Kettering Fire Departments.