Driver Revs Engine Until Stuck Car Catches Fire: Authorities

CHURCHTON, MD — A driver revved his car's motor repeatedly to try to free the stuck vehicle, but the hot engine started a fire that burned him and his car, Anne Arundel County Fire Deparment officials say. The mishap was reported about 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 near Battee Circle at Cherry Blossom Parkway.

Firefighters say a late model Mercury Grand Marquis was in flames and the car’s driver suffering from burns when they arrived at the scene. Witnesses said the vehicle had run off the road and was stuck. During the driver’s efforts to free the car by revving the engine in gear to high rpms, the car eventually overheated and caught fire.

Paramedics took the 56-year-old man to the Burn Center at John Hopkins Bayview with injuries that were serious but not believed life-threatening. A passenger in the car was not hurt, officials said.

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