SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Grayson Prentiss had a blast at Saturday’s Spanish Fort Fire-Rescue open house.

Literally.

“They blew up a car. It was awesome,” said 7-year-old Prentiss, one of more than 400 people who turned out for the annual safety day and glimpse into what really goes on behind those fire-truck bays.

“It was probably one of the better events we’ve ever had,” said Chief Roger Few, estimating around 100 people congregated each hour for the demonstrations.

Few clarified that the department burned the vehicle in question rather than it actually exploding, but he said it definitely drew the largest crowd.

“The car fire has a lot of action, and it always gets a lot of ooohhhs and aaahhhhs,” Few said.

Of course, flaming vehicles was only one example of the public safety wisdom imparted.

From car-extraction techniques and fire extinguisher basics to rope-repelling rescues and an air-mask safety tutorial, the event was designed to educate local residents about the equipment and tactics used every day by Spanish Fort’s volunteer fire department.

The department’s auxiliary also hosted a yard sale and bake sale, and Few said at least 30 more of the Spanish Fort-specific “Care Enough to Wear Pink” T-shirts to increase cancer awareness were sold during the event.

Few said the Spanish Fort crew is preparing to send its first check of about $3,800 from the T-shirt sales to the Orange Beach-based Lower Alabama chapter of the Guardians of the Ribbon.

The cancer awareness program’s Pink Heals tour rolled through the area earlier this month, and Few said T-shirt sales will continue as long as buyers express demand.