Road Rage Causes a Fiery Crash at a Local Gas Station

BELLFLOWER, July 30, 2006 (KABC) -- A car that had just finished refueling at a gas station burst into flames Saturday after a fender-bender sent a woman's vehicle crashing into the station, officials said.

No one was injured in the blaze and the gas pumps were automatically shut down, averting a larger blaze.

Firefighters were called to the accident at 2:06 p.m. The car was burning in the 8500 block of Artesia Boulevard on the border of Long Beach, said Los Angeles County Supervising Fire Dispatcher Melanie Flores.

Investigators say it started with a case of road rage.

According to police, the woman's car was hit by a suspect behind her. The woman then panicked, tried to escape and lost control. She skipped the curve, drove through the gas station and crashed into a car that had just been filled up.

The victims were able to get out of their cars and ran for cover as flames erupted from the car.

"It seems that a spark may have ignited fumes," he said.

No one was hurt and the woman was not cited, he said.

The pump's automatic shut down system successfully went into effect keeping the fire from spreading, said Flores.

As a further precaution, the pump remained turned off, said Flores.

The gas station is now dealing with about $50,000 worth of damage.

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•