Fire Department

A man was able to put out a fire in his vehicle with the help of a water extinguisher provided by a downtown restaurant.

Engine Company 1 responded to the 300 block of W. Washington Avenue Sunday afternoon to check on a sedan parked in the circular driveway of Maharani Restaurant, where a fire had already been extinguished and the rear hatch of the vehicle was opened. Firefighters checked for hot spots and observed significant interior damage to the car, including smoke stains to the dash area and front side of the passenger compartment.

There were several tools stored in the backseat of the car, including a propane torch, which the driver believed might have been triggered by another object.

MPD remained on scene with the driver, who was hoping he could still drive the vehicle home.