Fayetteville fire leaves engine repair shop on Bragg Boulevard a total loss

Emergency crews responded at 5:45 p.m. to a fire at Jones Small Engine Repair Inc at 4800 Bragg Blvd.

Jessica Boone who witnessed the fire when it started was test driving a car from a dealership across the street.

"Had to get the kids to cover their noses, cause the smoke was crowding up the dealership parking lot," Boone said.  

The repair shop's owner, Thomas Jones, says an employee working on a lawnmower engine likely sparked the fire. 

They rushed to get fire extinguishers, but it was already too late.

Authorities say the roof has caved in due to the fire and the building is a total loss.

Thomas Jones told WRAL many of the engines he was repairing were out back, and should be safe from the fire.

His dad started this business, all the way back in 1982.

Jones says he's not sure how, but he's determined to build it back.

No injuries have been reported.