Huge Van Fire on Westfield Avenue Extinguished by Clark Fire Department

The Clark Fire Department was put to work in the wee hours of Tuesday morning when a van caught fire on Westfield Avenue. 

According to Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Hampp, the fire broke out around 5:30 a.m. as the van pulled to the side of the road on Westfield Avenue in front of the Krowicki-Gorny funeral home. 

The large passenger van was full but everyone managed to escape safely, said Hampp. 

"The driver said he saw some smoke and some flames under the dashboard and then pulled over and exited the vehicle," Hampp told Patch. "When we got there it was fully involved and the wind began picking up, showering embers onto the funeral home. Fortunately, the wind died down before the fire spread." 

Hampp said the fire was eerily reminiscent for the department as a van fire on the parkway in the mid-90s took the lives of several people. 

"We were very lucky this time," said Hampp.