Crime & Safety

Massive Car Fire Leads To DUI Arrest In Cottage Grove

A man was arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence​ after a vehicle became engulfed in flames while in a Cottage Grove ditch.

WASHINGTON COUNTY, MN — A 25-year-old male was arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence after a vehicle became engulfed in flames after it was found in a ditch. No injuries were reported in the incident.

On Monday at 7:28 p.m., a passerby reported seeing a car in the ditch in the southeast corner of Ravine Parkway and Keats Avenue. There was no one in the vehicle and the passerby said he could see a grass fire underneath the car.

Officers were on scene within minutes and attempted to extinguish the flames with a couple of fire extinguishers, but the fire was spreading too rapidly. When the fire department arrived, the vehicle was fully engulfed.

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The car fire was eventually extinguished and the grass fire was contained. The male driver, age 25, was arrested under suspicion of driving under the influence and the crash is currently under investigation, according to police. No one, including the driver, was injured.

"Needless to say, the vehicle is a total loss," Cottage Grove police said on Facebook.

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Images via Cottage Grove Police Department

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