Vehicle fire destroys SUV near Stella; driver escapes uninjured

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

STELLA, Ky., (KBSI) — A Jeep Grand Cherokee was destroyed in a fire Monday evening after a mechanical malfunction caused the vehicle to ignite along Peach Orchard Road, according to Calloway County Fire-Rescue.

Calloway County 911 dispatched firefighters around 5:30 p.m. to the 200 block of Peach Orchard Road, where arriving units found the SUV fully engulfed in flames at the edge of a field. The driver was able to exit the vehicle before it became fully involved.

Murray-Calloway County EMS evaluated the driver, who was medically cleared and released at the scene.

Fire crews said the SUV’s full tank of fuel intensified the blaze and extended the time needed to bring it under control. Firefighters used water and foam to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading.

The driver told responders the vehicle malfunctioned while driving. After pulling over, the SUV quickly caught fire.

Calloway County Fire-Rescue responded with two pumpers, one tanker and one brush truck, with nine firefighters working for about two hours. The Calloway County Sheriff’s Office and Murray-Calloway County EMS assisted at the scene. Max’s 641 Towing removed the vehicle at the owner’s request.