HILAND PARK — A building on East Avenue near 15th Street caught fire this morning sending a Bay County Sheriff's deputy to the hospital and killing two dogs.
According to the State Fire Marshal's Office the blaze also destroyed three classic cars including 1960s era Corvette. They added that the blaze did about $350,000 worth of damage.
The deputy was sent to the hospital because of smoke inhalation. He was treated and released, officials said.
Bay County, Panama City and Springfield firefighters started battling the blaze at 7:15 a.m. Thursday and it took until 8:30 a.m. to get the fire under control. State Fire Marshal's officials said the fire, which occurred in the Walker's Muffler and Tire building, appeared to be accidental.
The building's owner lives in a trailer behind the burned out building and he was not injured, officials added. His life was saved because the two dogs began barking and alerted him to the fire officials said. However, when he left the dogs did not follow.
East Avenue near the fire was closed most of the morning but was reopened by mid-day.