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12:29 a.m. • 5-25-13

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Posted: February 25

Authorities: Fire at Raleigh car wash was arson

Raleigh, N.C. — Authorities said arson is to blame for a Monday morning fire that damaged a car wash on Wake Forest Road in Raleigh.

The fire erupted about 4 a.m. in a room attached to the Gentle Touch Car Wash, at 2907 Wake Forest Road near East Six Forks Road, according to the Raleigh Fire Department.

About 30 firefighters responded to a 911 call from the business and brought the small fire under control in less than 15 minutes. Four people were in the building at the time but got out. At least one was treated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters said about 20 percent of the building was damaged. No one was immediately charged.

Web Editor: Angie Basiouny

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26 Comments

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Latest Comments

"Not when they are living in an apartment above the car wash."

There is no apartment above the car wash. Not sure where you got that from. Per the article, they were living in a room, not an apartment.

Kilroy
February 26, 2013 2:05 p.m.

nobody thinks its wierd that there were four people in a building at a car wash at 4am on a Monday morning? - cghsmom

Not when they are living in an apartment above the car wash.

uh huh dats right
February 26, 2013 10:44 a.m.

This is something you don't see everyday. A fire at a carwash.

Crew Dog E6
February 26, 2013 10:25 a.m.

There were employees living there.

Toddler10-21
February 26, 2013 9:34 a.m.

The owner of this car wash died several days ago. His obituary is here:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/02/23/2700489/johnny-c-chip-english-ii.html

I used to patronize this car wash until around ten years ago. I was there one day when I witnessed one of the car wash employees crash a customer's car head-on into one of the walls of the building. The car was heavily damaged if not demolished. It also clipped another customer's car which also appeared to have suffered significant damage. I have never returned to this business since that time.