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‘Trailblazer’ burns up near gas station
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · August 14, 2014
A family escaped from a burning car with no injuries at a West Branch gas station about 1 a.m. Saturday.
West Branch Police Chief Mike Horihan said a passer-by banged on the door of his private residence to tell him about the fire at the BP-Amoco station, 401 Parkside Drive.
Horihan said he called 9-1-1 and he and Ofc. Kory Hanna responded to the scene, followed by West Branch Fire Department.
Fire Chief Kevin Stoolman said the half-dozen firefighters got the fire out in about 10 to 15 minutes.
Both Horihan and Stoolman said the car was far enough away from the gas pumps and canopy that there was little danger to the gas station itself.
Horihan said driver, Jarielys Marie Ortiz-Rivera, 20, of Milwaukee, said she had pulled off the highway to get gas and smelled smoke when she stopped on the ramp, pulled off and opened the hood to find the engine on fire.
Her two passengers got out safely.
Horihan said they were driving in caravan with one other car, returning the Trailblazer to Wisconsin, when the fire started.
Robert’s Towing hauled the car away.
Stoolman said the cause of the fire is still undetermined.
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