unless the mechanic was smoking and didn't know that the fuel tank was in the front

fire damadge

75-76 fuel pump and filter set just under the tank.

On the opposite side. ....

Just seeing fire on here makes me throw up a little

Used flammable windshield washer fluid??

I'm not sure how I feel about his insurance paying $10k and now he is trying to get top dollar for a salvaged car by bragging about $8k in receipts.

I guess that's the American way...

Brake Fire? Gordon

Sucks that the shop clearly didn't know what they were doing. Don't most manuals say "disconnect the battery" before anything else? I think it was probably something else that caused the fire - a technician is very likely. Either way, I'd give him 1k and walk away if he gave me gruff.