Car’s engine catches fire Tuesday night

A Buick Regal caught on fire Tuesday night in Lot 28 near Foust Hall.

The first call came to authorities at 7:49 p.m., said Central Michigan University Police Sgt. Christopher Pryor.

The fire was put out as soon as the fire department arrived.

“I saw flames shooting out of the front of the car,” said Frankenmuth junior Kraig Haubenstricker.

Haubenstricker said he noticed the smoke from the Music Building and was curious. When he got to the car, he called 9-1-1.

Haubenstricker said when the fire fighters arrived and sprayed the car there were still flames under the hood.

The accident closed down Preston Street from the Charles V. Park Library to Mission Street and opened up after the car had been towed by a local company, Pryor said.

Sgt. Michael Dunham of the Mount Pleasant Fire Department said when they arrived the car was engulfed in flames. They were able to put out the fire quickly, but there was a lot of smoke damage, which ruined the inside of the car, Dunham said.

“This particular car is completely destroyed,” he said.

The fire started and stayed mainly under the hood, Dunham said.

He does not know what caused the fire because there was too much damage done to the car.

No one was hurt during the accident, but there was damage done to a car directly adjacent to it, Dunham said.

“Things can be replaced, but people cannot,” Dunham said.

Grand Rapids junior Hilary Kavanaugh, the owner of the car, said she couldn’t prevent the fire.

“I think it’s unfortunate, but nothing I can do about it,” Kavanaugh said. “I got to take it as it comes.”