A space heater is believed to be the cause of an early morning fire at a car wash in Yonkers Friday.

 

Officials say 40 firefighters responded at 3 a.m. Friday to put out a blaze at Billy's Hand Car Wash on Nepperhan Avenue.

 

When crews arrived on the scene, they had to cut through a fence and roll top doors to gain better access, since the shop was closed.

 

Once there, it took firefighters about 25 minutes to control the fire, but they spent three hours on the scene to stop any more pockets of flames.

 

Three firefighters are in the hospital following the fire for injuries that include sprains and strains.

 

About five cars near the site were damaged from the heat of the flames.

 

The car wash is currently closed and the owner says she doesn't know when it could reopen.