Updated 08/31/2012 08:29 PM
Queens Junkyard Fire Injures Two Near U.S. Open
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A Queens junkyard fire sent two people to the hospital late Friday morning and sent smoke billowing into the air near the U.S. Open.
It happened at the Sunrise Used Auto Parts yard on Willets Point Boulevard.
Witnesses say two people were trying to cut a piece of a car when a spark hit a gas tank nearby.
One person caught on fire but co-workers were able to quickly douse the flames.
"Two workers working on a car using a saw," said Battalion Chief Thomas Reilly. "Created a spark and it set the gas tank on fire. One of the workers was seriously injured."
"I ran out with the extinguisher," said Luis Rivera, a co-worker of one of the victims. "We shut off the fire, we control it. I take him outside. I gave him to my friend. I made sure no one got close to the fire."
"All the body [caught] fire," said Alberto Webster, a witness. "So we held the guy and took off his clothes and everything."
Fire officials said two injured employees were brought to the hospital. The employee injured more seriously was suffered second and third-degree burns and was transported to
One other person was also injured.
Smoke from the fire was visible at the U.S. Open but did not disrupt any matches.