Neighbors Watch Car Go Up In Flames
DENVER (CBS4) — A car went up in flames Saturday morning, sparking a dangerous situation for nearby residents in Green Valley Ranch.
Gas from the tank ran down the street, resulting in a quick reaction from firefighters.
Authorities believe the 2005 BMW may have ignited due to faulty wiring.
The owner said he had just started the ignition to warm up his car when he smelled smoke.
Neighbors Beth Gish and her daughter Natalie looked outside their home to see the man's car fully engulfed in flames.
"It was pretty wild," said Beth Gish. Her first thought was for her neighbor's safety. "I was hoping he wasn't in the car."
"As soon as they got one side out, the other side would light on fire again," said Natalie Gish, of firefighters efforts to put out flames.
The fire spread to another parked car, and gasoline started spilling into the street.
"It was going underneath all these cars, near their gas tanks, one car after the next— which (made) several more hazards for us to deal with," said Lt. Tonya Kesterson of the Denver Fire Department.
Firefighters were able to keep flames from spreading to the man's home.
"Not a good day for him, but it could have been much worse," said Kesterson. "At least his home was saved."
Melissa Garcia has been reporting for CBS4 News since March 2014. Find her bio here, follow her on Twitter @MelissaGarciaTV, or send your story idea to mkgarcia@cbs.com.
