This Volkswagen Jetta was badly damaged early Sunday morning after a fire started in its back seat. (East Jefferson Fire-Rescue)

This Volkswagen Jetta was badly damaged early Sunday morning after a fire started in its back seat. (East Jefferson Fire-Rescue)

Quilcene man burns hands attempting to extinguish car fire

PORT TOWNSEND — East Jefferson Fire-Rescue firefighters are investigating the cause of a car fire in which a Quilcene man burned his hands.

Those 26-year-old man, who was not identified, was taken to Jefferson Healthcare hospital after he tried to put out a fire that started in the back seat of his Volkswagen Jetta early Sunday morning, said Bill Beezley, East Jefferson Fire-Rescue spokesman.

Firefighters were alerted to the fire at 3:18 a.m., Beezley said, and quickly put it out.

However, the car, which was parked near the water at the back of the parking lot east of Golden Ocean restaurant, was destroyed.

The man attempted to pat the fire out with his hands and then began throwing personal possessions out the back doors before evacuating the Jetta.

At one point, the Jetta rolled forward about 30 feet and struck the rear of a parked white Chevrolet panel van, according to Port Townsend police officer Jeremy Vergin.

A man who was sleeping in the van awoke, started the van and pulled forward away from the burning Jetta, Beezley said.

His van suffered heat damage from the other car, but he was uninjured.

More in News

EYE ON THE PENINSULA: Peninsula boards to discuss timber, budgets

Meetings across the North Olympic Peninsula

Electronic edition of newspaper set Tuesday

Peninsula Daily News will have an electronic edition only… Continue reading

Veterans Day ceremony set at Port Angeles High School

The Clallam County Veterans Association will host a Veterans… Continue reading

Suggs flips Port Angeles council race, leads by 10 votes

Sanders maintains lead for position OMC board

Steve Burke.
Auditors: PA pool lacks controls

Report: Director benefitted financially over 6-year period

Community Services Director Melody Sky Weaver at the Port Townsend Carnegie Library. The library will receive a $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, the foundation founded by industrialist Andrew Carnegie. The library was opened in 1913 and the gift is to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Port Townsend, Port Angeles libraries to receive $10K as part of celebration

Corporation to provide funding in honor of country’s 250th birthday

One dies in collision on Hood Canal Bridge

Trooper says driver attempted U-turn at midspan

Port Townsend city employees work to clean up the Evans Vista homeless encampment on Thursday. The city hired Leland Construction of Roy to help with the process, which was initiated by the Port Townsend City Council in September. The city gave camp residents until Monday to vacate the premises and began the sweep of the area on Thursday. (Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
Camp cleanup

Port Townsend city employees work to clean up the Evans Vista homeless… Continue reading

Hospital projects a $7.5M loss in ’26

Interim CEO says it’s cash flow positive

Port Angeles council expects $189M in revenue sources for 2026

Finance director explains funds, from general to taxes to utilities

Taylor gains three votes in Port Angeles City Council race

Hammar maintains lead for position on Port Angeles school board

Rufina C. Garay.
Port Townsend names second poet laureate

Garay appointed following recommendation from panel