Vehicle fire endangers home in Newburgh

A vehicle fire came dangerously close to spreading from a driveway to a home on Route 9 in Newburgh on Sunday night, according to a Newburgh Fire Department official.

A minivan caught fire after the driver spun the tires in an apparent attempt to turn the vehicle, according to Newburgh Fire Department Assistant Chief Glen Williamson. The van was parked in the driveway of a home occupied by Travis Smith, whose age and address Williamson could not immediately provide.

“It looks like the lady that was driving got stuck, and when she tried to turn around the tires stuck and started a fire in the engine compartment,” Williamson said. The cold weather does not necessarily prevent such fires from starting, he said.

The home is located about a quarter-mile from the fire department, so officials arrived soon after the 8 p.m. call, Williamson said.

The fire destroyed the vehicle, which was approximately 15 feet from the house, Williamson said. Oil and propane tanks were also nearby. No one was injured and 10 firefighters put out the blaze in about 10 minutes, he said.

The driver was not immediately identified, Williamson said. (Anne Ravana, BDN)