Meineke car catches on fire due to neglegence of mechanic Salisbury, Maryland

Jan 4th I took mt car to Meineke to be diagnosed. Their findings was sputtering and a dirty filter. I agreed to have the work done.I paid them $272.49 and got into my car, but the smell of gas was very strong,and my fuel indicator lets me know all the fuel that was in the car was out. I asked the manager why the strong gas smell and he said "it would go away in a few days". The car was still slow starting but I proceeded on. I put $20.00 in the car and the next day when I got into the car the fuel  was gone and the car was sputtering.

 I took it back to Meineke and the manager sa" his mechanic messed up but they would fix the problem" Sat Jan 5th I pick the car up only to still smell a stong gas smell.I was told the smell would go away. Sunday evening I went to gas up the car for a trip.It was still starting slow. Monday morning around 5:15, 5:25 am I went out to do a final check and noticed the strong smell of gas. [continued below]....

..... As my sister and I get ready to leave, she says pull the car up to see if any gas has leaked, because she had been with me from the beginning.I pulled the car up and a there was gas all over the ground.

I couldn't believe my eyes. We then get into the car and I turn the key and a sound comes out and within seconds the front of the car is engulfed in flames. I turn the car off and we jump from the car escaping with our lives.911 was called and the report indicates a engine fire. I had a friend call Meineke to explain what happened because I was in shock and had been cying and couldn't get any sleep.I later contacted the manager because he never did. I told him my proposal and he said he would get it to his boss. He would not give me any phone numbers.

He said he was the mediator.At first he was willing to admit to the mistake,but the next conversation he changed. I would then call everyday and would always be told the manager would get back with me, that never happened.The next time I called I got the manager and he tells me that Meineke will give me $14hundred for the car and the repairs. Once again it was a waiting game and not call backs from him. I later received a name and number of someone in corporate.Ms. Evans would hear my story and hopefully mediate for me.

Finally after all this. I get another name Steve McQwen I am told that my accident is sitting on his desk,and that it wasnt a priority. Once again no responce from Meineke.Jan 30th I call Ms. Evans to inform her that I had not heard anything,she gives me another name Micah Toops and a phone number. I call Mr. Toops and he states that Meineke will only give me $14.000 for the car. This is what the Kelly Blue book states, but in my hand is another price.

He says that that offer was on the high side due to the fact the car had over 30000 miles,which was not true.He also states that the cause of the fire was due to a hose that was bad. They still would not give me the money for the repair,and insisited meineke was not at fault.From the time of Jan 4th it has been a horrible experence, and the way Meineke had no compassion and no one came out to see the condition of the car.They put myself and my sister lives in danger.They did not perform the work and sent me out in a death trap. Someone please help.