Car caught fire in GSCO parking lot
The Oconee County Fire Department was called to GSCO on Tuesday Aug. 24 after a white Dodge Stratus caught fire.
The fire was caused by an electric problem in the engine. The incident occurred in Lot B just at approximately 7 p.m.
Captain Chuck Johnson (Oconee Sheriff's Department), Captain Bobby Tribble (Head of GSC Security), and Oconee Firefighters respond to
Captain Chuck Johnson of the Oconee County Sheriff’s department was the first to notice smoke coming out of the car. There were flames under the engine, as parts of the hood’s interior were scorched.
“The fire put itself out from a radiator hose being busted,” Johnson said.
The owner of the car was not at the scene during the response. Many GSCO students were blocked in as they were ready to head home, and others watched on as the firefighters worked on the vehicle.
“There is no doubt this is a hazard,” said Chad Lacey, a GSCO student and bystander. “Any car within 20 feet will be in trouble if it explodes.”
The fire officials kept the hazard contained, and there were no casualties.
This is a prime example of why we do what we do on two different fronts:
First, a fire of this type could easily consume a vehicle and it could quickly burn cars parked next to it. We must be able to identify any car parked on Campus immediately. We had a student sitting in class, oblivious to the fact that his car was on fire in the parking lot. In a worst-case scenario several cars in close proximity could have been consumed by the fire. If those cars are registered, we’d have a window of opportunity to rush to a class and the driver move them safety. Thankfully it didn’t come to that.
Secondly, I hope this underscores the value of providing Oconee Sheriff’s Deputies on campus along with our own professional security personnel. They are here for student’s protection and benefit, and this is just one more example of how they help us.
I hope everyone has a great semester-be safe and we are here to help you.
Mark Jones
Director
GSC Oconee Security