A call for a vehicle on fire at the Meadowbrook Mall turned out to be just that this afternoon as the Bridgeport Department arrived on the scene to a car that was shooting flames from under its hood, according to Interim Fire Chief Phil Hart.

 

The fire crews responded to the call just before 4 p.m. today; 3:41 p.m. according to the Harrison County 911 log. The vehicle was situated in the parking lot and near other vehicles.

 

“There wasn’t anyone in the vehicle and the occupants were unaware of the situation,” said Hart. “They were in the mall at the time we arrived.”

 

Hart said staff quickly got the upper hand on the fire that was full involved, but contained, in the motor compartment area. The car in question was an older model Chrysler Sebring.

 

“The couple that owned it was an elderly couple from Marion County,” said Hart. “As mentioned, they weren’t there and the good news is that there didn’t appear to be damage – at least nothing that was clearly visible – to the car beside it.”

 

Hart said the damage to the engine area was substantial. He said based on what he saw, along with the age of the car, he was certain that the vehicle would be declared a total loss.