Norwich — The fire that sent thick black smoke into the air, destroyed 20 cars and damaged a small building at Boyd’s Used Auto Parts Inc. “could have been a lot worse,” Norwich Fire Chief Kenneth Scandariato said Friday, especially because there were no injuries to workers or firefighters.

Scandariato said the fire apparently started when a spark caught a worker's protective glove as he was removing fuel from a vehicle. The worker quickly threw the glove off and backed away as the fuel vapors ignited and caused the fire to spread rapidly.

“Fortunately, there were no injuries to this,” Scandariato said. “The response time really did help to keep the fire where it started.”

Boyd’s owner Peter Valin said only about 20 of the more than 2,000 cars on the property were destroyed, along with some “minor equipment.” A small lean-to building that protects some equipment from the weather had minor damage, Valin said.

“Everything is right and normal,” Valin said of business operations. “... We’re repairing equipment and will be completely operational by Monday. No one was hurt. That’s the main thing.”

The three-alarm fire started at 3:36 p.m. at the 133 Corning Road business and occupied firefighters from numerous departments throughout the afternoon. Thick black smoke could be seen from miles away. Norwich Public Utilities shut off power to 73 customers along Corning Road to assist firefighters. Power was restored at 6:09 p.m., NPU spokesman Chris Riley said Friday.

Scandariato said fire crews were done putting out all hot spots by about 8 p.m. and did not expect new flare-ups. Kropp Environmental Contractors Inc. of Franklin was assisting with the environmental cleanup, Scandariato said.

c.bessette@theday.com