Afternoon Car Fire on Interstate 79 Put Out Quickly by Pedestrian, Fire Officials
By Jeff Toquinto on September 23, 2014
Quick thinking by a passing motorist helped keep a car fire along Interstate 79 from getting much worse. According to Bridgeport Fire Department Captain Phil Hart, by the time local emergency personnel were on the scene the fire was basically contained.
“Fortunately, the worst was over by the time we arrived,” said Hart. “A motorist 
stopped and used a fire extinguisher that pretty much took care of it.”
stopped and used a fire extinguisher that pretty much took care of it.”
However, a small fire was still going upon arrival. Hart said by that time, however, it was completely contained to the motor compartment.
Smoke and the smell of burning hot metal were permeating the air from underneath the hood of the light black Kia Sedona mini-van. A member of the Bridgeport Fire Department was spraying the engine to make sure that it didn’t re-ignite.
Hart said there were no injuries as a result of the call that went out on 911 at 1:48 p.m. Fire officials were able to leave the scene shortly after making sure the vehicle was secured. Hart said the vehicle would need to be towed from the scene.
The incident took place near mile marker 123, prior to the Interstate 79 rest areas. The fire took place on the northbound side of the interstate.
Bridgeport Fire and Bridgeport EMS responded to the scene. Traffic was not impacted as the car had pulled off on the median of the roadway.
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