JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A white SUV caught fire early Sunday evening at the Gate gas station on Emerson Street near Philips Highway in Jacksonville, causing panic among nearby witnesses who feared a massive explosion.
Tiffany Parker, who recorded the scene from across the street, described hearing popping noises as the car’s windows shattered and the fire grew larger.
“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 gas station parking lot, shared the fear of an explosion.
“It was scary, especially when you hear the tires pop from the heat and the noises. We thought it was going to explode.”
Witnesses and a gas station employee inside the store confirmed the SUV was already on fire when the driver pulled into the lot and parked next to a gas pump. “I don’t know if that was out of panic, but I would panic even more pulling up next to a gas pump,” said one witness.
Parker added, “When I saw that, I was like, oh my gosh, why would they do that?”
News4JAX spoke with witnesses who credited the gas station employee for preventing a disaster by turning off power to the pumps. “It’s a good thing the Gate employees were trained on that,” one witness said.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments across the U.S. respond to more than 4,100 fires at gas stations annually. More than half of those fires involve vehicles, with over three-quarters caused by mechanical or electrical malfunctions.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this incident.
A Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department spokesperson emphasized the importance of safety precautions.
“Anytime you notice smoke coming out of your car, you need to immediately pull off the road somewhere away from people and property,” the spokesperson said.
They also warned that pulling into a gas station and parking next to a gas pump while a vehicle is smoking or on fire is a major no-no.