(La Porte County, IN) - A car fire in La Porte County last evening was started by the driver trying to light a cigarette.

 

That’s according to La Porte County Police, who were dispatched about 8 p.m. to the fire at U.S. 20 and 700 East.

 

Police said the driver told investigators he was traveling to South Bend with a push mower and a one gallon gas can containing fuel inside of his 2015 Mercedes Benz.

 

The driver said as soon as he flicked his lighter to light a cigarette, “an explosion occurred in his face,” according to police.  He pulled to the side of the road and stepped out of the vehicle unharmed.

 

A passing semi-truck driver stopped and put out the flames with an extinguisher.  Police said the damage consisted of burn marks throughout the inside of the vehicle.

 

La Porte County Haz-Mat Coordinator Jeff Hamilton said gasoline is even more flammable in hot weather and produces additional fumes, which increases the risk for ignition from a nearby spark or flame.

 

“The vapors is what lit it up,” he said.

 

Hamilton said the man was fortunate to have escaped without burns.