Woman removes children from SUV before it bursts into flames

Fire destroys a Honda Pilot SUV, Washington, Utah, July 21, 2014 | Photo by Kimberly Scott, St. George News

WASHINGTON CITY – Fire crews extinguished flames during the noon hour Monday after a recently purchased vehicle caught fire on the 500 West block of Harvest Lane in Washington.

The woman driver and her two children were on their way back from the grocery store around noon, Washington City Fire Chief Brent Hafen said. They were about a block and a half away from home when the car started smoking.

The woman pulled over and knocked on a neighbor’s door for help, Hafen said. The neighbor helped the woman get her kids and groceries out of the vehicle and took her and her children the rest of the way home. When they looked back they could see smoke at which point they called 911.

“When the first arriving engine got here it looked like the gas tank had already ruptured a little bit,” Hafen said. “There was fuel running down the street that was on fire and the car was fully engulfed and gone. It went pretty fast.”

Washington City police were on scene to secure the area while the Washington City Fire Department extinguished the blaze, taking crews approximately 10-15 minutes to suppress the flames.

The family had just purchased the Honda Pilot SUV last week, Hafen said. No injuries were reported, he said, and the cause of the fire is still pending determination at the time of this report.

“It looks like it started in the engine compartment and it went through the car pretty fast,” Hafen said.

This report is based on preliminary information provided by the authorities at the scene and may not contain the full scope of findings.

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16 Comments

  • JOSH DALTON July 21, 2014 at 2:40 pm

    Yup, should have got a Volkswagen Tiguan!

  • My Evil Twin July 21, 2014 at 2:52 pm

    Thank God they got the kids out!

  • Robb Willie July 21, 2014 at 2:56 pm

    So where did she purchase this POS?

  • Ray July 21, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    I want to know where she bought that car !!! I am glad she and her children got out of the car in time.

  • Mama Jane July 21, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    I seriously want to know where the it was purchased as well!!!

  • Sold July 21, 2014 at 4:00 pm

    Looks like a “low mileage, clean one-owner”

  • anothermom July 21, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    I would like to know where it was purchased so I don’t make the same mistake. I am glad all are safe, good luck with the dealer and insurance company.

  • Tom July 21, 2014 at 4:49 pm

    Even sold as is , the dealership should not give her probelms when she goes back and tries to figure out the proper way to resolve this issue. It only being a week after purchase,it was most likely was caused by something that was already messed up. The dealership either knew about but kept it quiet or they didnt do a good enough job checking the car over before selling it. If the dealership is unwilling to do the right thing, she should contact Department of Motor Vehicles Enforcement Division.

    • Tom's Buddy July 22, 2014 at 5:05 pm

      Tom, You assume the vehicle stayed in the same condition since she bought it. I seen her drive! Thank god her kids are safe!

  • Real Life July 21, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    The dealer who sold her this had better make it right. If not, they should hope their name doesn’t come out.

  • Manduh July 21, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    SO glad they all got out okay and that someone helped them! And whoever she bought it from better not try to charge her anything either!

  • bob July 21, 2014 at 7:52 pm

    maybe the car was worked on by BIG O TIRES on Sunset…

    • Bob's Buddy July 22, 2014 at 5:06 pm

      Bob are you still mad you got fired?

  • Ben Lark July 22, 2014 at 9:24 am

    Great pictures. Great quick story, I’m grateful for STGNEWS. Just quick real time stories day after day. Keep up the good work. St. George News….you guys rock.

  • killjoy July 22, 2014 at 10:01 am

    Or maybe it was worked on by big o on bluff. Had them drop my van on their hoist yrs ago. Bent the frame.

  • Beerbelly July 22, 2014 at 1:54 pm

    I’ve had a vehicle fir, not fun! Hope all is well and good luck with insurance. My vehicle fire was caused by improperly wired aftermarket amp installed by previous owner. Dealer didn’t care and I was SOL. Dealer ended up in jail on other charges, got to love Karma!

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