Approximately 4:00 pm on Saturday, January 7 – a 2000 Ford Explorer burst into flames on Braley Hill Road in North Rochester just north of the Acushnet line. Rochester Police and Fire Department officials rushed to the scene, and shut off traffic in both directions.
The occupant, an unidentified Acushnet man and his young daughter, had pulled over when an oncoming pick-up truck alerted the vehicle that flames had erupted from a leak under the vehicle, according to bystanders. They pulled over and exited the vehicle and called 911.
“The 2000 Ford Explorer quickly became fully engulfed in flames and was a total loss,” said Rochester Police Chief Paul Magee. No one was injured.
The young girl was wrapped in a quilt blanket and comforted by neighbors as fire officials put out the blaze.
“It didn’t take long for [the Fire Department] to come,” said bystander Tony Sousa. “It blew up a couple of times when we were here.”
“It is your lucky day, you are out of the car. You got to see firemen, but you need not be scared, it is okay. It’s all better,” said an officer to the little girl once the flames were extinguished.
“The cause of the fire is unknown at this time,” added Chief Magee.
By Laura Fedak Pedulli