Vehicle Fire at Gas Station Prompts MFD, Hazmat Team Response

Engine 7 and Medic 7 responded to the parking lot of the Citgo gas station at 4601 Verona Road for a reported vehicle fire. Medic 7 was released once it was confirmed nobody was injured. 

E7 arrived to find a car with fire showing mainly from the engine compartment. Firefighters extinguished the fire, which had begun to extend into the passenger compartment. Firefighters confirmed nobody was still inside the vehicle. 

During the operation, MPD helped with traffic control, and Citgo station employees utilized the emergency fuel shut off to isolate fuel at the gas pumps.

Prior to the fire, the vehicle had reportedly jumped a curve and was stuck in some landscaping near the parking lot. Police told firefighters that just as they were arriving to the scene, the driver had begun revving the engine and trying to move the vehicle when suddenly a large “20-foot-high fire ball" came from the vehicle. The driver was placed into MPD custody prior to MFD's arrival.

A large hole in the fuel tank caused several gallons of fuel to spill onto the parking lot. Engine 7 contained the spill to prevent it from spreading. The MFD Hazardous Incident Team responded and assisted with further spill containment. Seven bags of Oil Dry were applied to soak up the fuel.