A suspicious fire damaged a centre-city auto shop on Sunday evening.

Fire crews were called to Freshwater Auto on Freshwater Road at about 7:15 p.m. Sunday evening. When firefighters first arrived they found smoke billowing from the rear of the garage. Crews found a pile of tires on fire next to the rear wall of the structure.

St. John’s Regional Fire Department Platoon Chief Dean Foley stated crews made quick work of the bulk of the fire, however there was some extension into the insulation of the exterior wall. Firefighters used saws to cut through the metal cladding on the wall to access the remaining flames, and poured water down the wall from the roof to douse any remaining hot spots.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary is investigating.