An automobile mechanic is dead after a car he was working on burst into flames Friday afternoon. Buffalo Fire Commissioner Garnell Whitfield says firefighters responded to Steve’s Auto Service at 2280 Genesee St. near East End Avenue just after 1 p.m. Friday. Upon arrival, Whitfield says they found heavy fire conditions and two victims outside the building.
"One of them in particular had severe burns to him. He was assisted by other pedestrians and civilians. He has since been pronounced deceased at ECMC hospital," Whitfield says.
The victim is identified as Stephen Pawlowski, 56, from the Town of Tonawanda, who owned the auto shop. The other man, a worker at the garage, was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Whitfield says the cause of the incident is under investigation. He says there are reports of several explosions at the scene.