Classic Chevy Nova Explodes In Owner’s Garage

A car being worked on at a Novato home exploded and caught fire while the man was in the vehicle, gutting the garage and setting fire to a hillside Saturday, Novato fire officials said. The man was able to escape from the car, a 1972 Nova, without any injuries, and run to safety down to the street. The blast, reported at 4:47 p.m. at 710 Cherry St., jolted neighboring homes, including that of off-duty Novato firefighter Tommy Gaulke, who was able to provide information to responding crews. Embers from the blaze ignited the adjacent hillside, burning a quarter of an acre.