Pierce County, Washington – Chase Ends in Car Fire at Waller Road East

Pierce County, Washington (February 29, 2020) – A chase that began on Park Avenue South ended in a car fire on the 13300 block of Waller Road East on Saturday night. According to the article from News Maven, no injuries were mentioned in the report and the suspect has been apprehended.

According to information from the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, incident began around 10:50 p.m. when an officer spotted a black BMW going 65 mph on southbound Park Avenue South. Despite the attempts of officers to stop the vehicle, the suspect driver continued, and was stopped by a PIT maneuver performed by a rookie deputy. The maneuver was successful and brought the suspect’s car to a safe stop, and he was removed from the vehicle as the car began to smoke. Crews from Central Pierce Fire and Rescue arrived to extinguish the fire, which had been caused by a blown motor. The suspect has been booked into Pierce County Jail for felony pursuit/eluding, reckless driving and 2nd degree driving with suspended/revoked license.

About Vehicle Fire

While this incident involves a criminal element, it is important to note accidents of other causes can result in injuries and damage. Vehicle fires are a cause for alarm and can present a very dangerous situation. No matter the cause, all passengers are advised to get as far away from the vehicle when it ignites. The nature of the vehicle and the materials used in it builds potential for big fires and explosions.

To minimize the risk of fires, it is always best to make sure that a vehicle is well-maintained and in good condition. While there are many known causes of car fires, a fire does not always start with just one cause. More often, a number of factors are present when a car fire happens. This makes investigation difficult, but by listing the known causes of car fires, car owners can take the proper steps to analyse their own vehicle’s safety. Some factors do not always directly start the fire but raise the risk for creating it; these factors are design flaws, vehicle neglect, the use of faulty electrical or hybrid batteries, and the spilling or leaking of flammable liquids . On the other hand, factors that can directly cause vehicle fires are car crashes, arson, faulty wiring, and overheating car parts and components. The top two causes for car fires are electrical system failures and leaks in the fuel system. Additionally, one must look over the cargo being carried and make sure there is risk that the cargo can also burst into flames. In identifying these fire risks, one can then properly assess their vehicle to see if any of these risks are present. Like with all fire risks, early detection can help prevent any damage, loss, injuries and fatalities.

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