Investigators probe cause of West End vehicle fire

Published 12:01 am Monday, August 5, 2013

PORT ANGELES — Fire investigators with the State Patrol continued to probe the cause of a fire deemed suspicious last weekend that destroyed an unoccupied car parked along U.S. Highway 101 near Herrick Road west of Port Angeles.

Fire crews from Clallam County Fire District No. 2 arrived at about 1:11 p.m. Saturday to find a sedan of some type engulfed in flames, said Mike DeRousie, assistant chief.

The fire also had spread to a nearby grassy area, DeRousie said, and set fire to a patch of brush about 20 feet by 80 feet.

Crews had the blaze under control in about 20 minutes, DeRousie said.

Witnesses who phoned 9-1-1 reported that some people were pulling belongings out of the car while it was on fire, then drove away in a green pickup truck.

A gas can labeled “diesel” was found not far from the car, which was a total loss, DeRousie said, calling that “suspicious.”

“[The State Patrol is] doing some investigation,” said DeRousie, adding that no injuries were reported.

The State Patrol did not respond to requests for information Sunday.

Reporter Jeremy Schwartz can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5074, or at jschwartz@peninsuladailynews.com.