Jacksonville, FL – A dramatic scene unfolded at a Jacksonville gas station Tuesday as an SUV arrived engulfed in flames, prompting fears of an explosion and a swift response from both witnesses and a quick-thinking gas station employee. The incident, captured on video by a bystander, sparked panic among those nearby.
The SUV was already on fire when the driver pulled into the gas station parking lot and parked next to a gas pump, according to witnesses and a gas station employee. ”I don’t know if that was out of panic, but I would panic even more pulling up next to a gas pump,” one witness stated. Tiffany Parker, who recorded the incident from across the street, described hearing popping noises as the car’s windows shattered and the fire intensified. “There was fear.People were screaming…Everyone was worried about the workers at the gas station and at Wendy’s,” Parker said.
Another witness closer to the pumps expressed the widespread concern, stating, “It was scary, especially when you hear the tires pop from the heat and the noises. We thought it was going to explode.” Fortunately, a gas station employee quickly shut off power to the pumps, preventing a possibly catastrophic situation. “it’s a good thing the Gate employees were trained on that,” a witness commented.
No injuries were reported as an inevitable result of the fire.
The incident highlights the dangers of vehicle fires at gas stations, which the National Fire Protection Association reports occur more than 4,100 times annually in the U.S. Over half of these fires involve vehicles, and more than three-quarters are caused by mechanical or electrical malfunctions.
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department officials emphasized the importance of safety, advising drivers to immediately pull over away from people and property if they notice smoke coming from their vehicle. They strongly cautioned against parking near gas pumps while a vehicle is smoking or on fire.
