Fire Department

Firefighters responded to the parking lot of Cheesecake Factory at West Towne Mall for the report of a vehicle on fire. A plume of gray-white smoke could be seen as Ladder Company 7 approached from a few blocks away. As firefighters pulled up to the Saturn station wagon, heavy smoke was found coming from the engine compartment but no flames were immediately seen.

Ladder Company 7 applied water to the hood of the car and wheel wells, ultimately cooling and extinguishing the fire with about 150 gallons of water. There were several cars parked nearby but none were affected by the fire.

The owner said she’d just stepped out to buy some coffee and noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. When she opened the hood she saw fire and smoke and called 911.

No recent maintenance had been done to the vehicle, and the exact cause of the fire is unknown. The vehicle was not insured and is estimated to be a total loss.