Friday, June 20, 2008
STAFF REPORT
BOARDMAN — A fire that caused about $100,000 in damage to a carport and several vehicles started in the engine compartment of a 1993 Lincoln Town Car, the township fire investigation unit has determined.
The fire was reported about 6 p.m. June 8 at an apartment complex at 7958 Market St.
Witnesses reported seeing fire coming from the front wheel well of the Lincoln and quickly spreading to the carport and other vehicles parked beneath it.
Besides the carport and the Lincoln, the fire also destroyed a 2001 Buick Century, 1996 Chevrolet Prism, 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer and a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. Radiant heat caused vinyl miniblinds to melt and two windows to crack in the apartment building to the west of the carport.
Insurance investigators have removed the Lincoln for testing and further investigation. The car is one of the models covered under the Ford Motor Co.’s recall of faulty cruise control switches, according to insurance investigators.
The fire department responded with two fire engines and five firefighters. A second engine from the Shields Road station was delayed because of road construction at U.S. Route 224 and Tippecanoe Road.