Gloucester firefighters have knocked down what initially described as an "out of control" grass and brush fire off Bass Avenue and Hartz Street — a blaze that forced crews to temporarily shut down portions on Bass Avenue, Hartz Street and Sayward Street.
The first calls regarding the blaze came in around 2:15, and those first responding reported the fire was spreading behind the Meineke auto shop building while spewing thick, black smoke over the neighborhood.
Firefighters, however, had brought the blaze under control and knocked it down by 3 p.m.
