Montville — A spark that caused gasoline fumes to ignite most likely caused a Wednesday evening fire that destroyed Heiner's Auto Body & Sales on Route 32, a fire official said Thursday.

Fire Marshal Ray Occhialini said that Paul Leibig, whose family owns the body shop, was transferring gasoline from a vehicle with an electric pump into a gas can. The electric pump was plugged into an outlet from a drop light. He was attempting to replace a fuel pump.

Occhialini said it appears that Leibig tripped on the pump's plug, causing a spark that ignited the fumes. He said because the auto body shop has been around for decades, it is grandfathered in and not required to have a ventilation system that newer shops must have.

He said Leibig's sustained burn injuries to his hands and face and lost some hair. He said Leibig was treated and released from the William W. Backus Hospital.

The fire was reported at 5:50 p.m. He said firefighters managed to save a home that was next to the business. He said some of the home's siding was melted.

Occhialini said the business is insured. He said two cars that were being worked on were destroyed.