Todd Horton Small Engine burns

Todd Horton Small Engine Sales and Service at 1190 Walnut Grove Road, Harrisburg, sustained heavy damage in a fire Monday morning.

Horton said two employees were working on a machine in the shop and spilled gasoline caught fire.

"They were cleaning a fuel tank and had spilled gasoline. Something sparked it, but we don't know what," Horton said.

The fire rapidly spread throughout the building.

Carrier Mills firefighters responded and called for mutual aid from Harrisburg. Carrier Mills Police also responded for help with traffic.

The Hortons live in a home next door to the business. The home was unhurt. A building in the back where most of the customer machines were kept was also safe from fire. Machines in the building that were lost are insured as is the business, Horton said.

"I've got probably 25 people's equipment in the building. I've got insurance for other people's equipment as well as our own," Horton said.

Todd's wife, Connie, said the fire could have been worse.

"I'm just thankful our home is OK and everything else. This all can be replaced," Connie said.

This is the business' 24th year of operation.

The fire comes at a bad time for the business as people are getting machines serviced for the lawn mowing season.