A Yellow Cab on its way to pick up a fare became engulfed in flames at the corner of Welborn Street and West Court on Thursday morning. The driver escaped uninjured.
According to Hinesville Patrol Officer Angela Reynolds, central dispatch issued a report just before 9 a.m. about a vehicle on fire.
Reynolds went to the scene and found the burning car.
Hinesville Fire Department Capt. Kris Johanson said two units, consisting of five firefighters, were dispatched and arrived at 9:05 a.m. Twenty minutes later, the fire was out.
Reynolds and Johanson said the driver, who was only identified by his first name, David, said the car had mechanical work done Wednesday. He told Reynolds the cab’s radiator had been acting up.
The driver said he noticed smoke coming from beneath the vehicle’s hood right before the cab caught fire. David told Reynolds he got out to check the situation and saw flames when he lifted the hood.
Lt. George Screws inspected the vehicle but was unable to determine the cause of the fire.
No one was injured but Liberty EMS was called when the person who originally requested the cab became startled after a tire exploded.
The would-be passenger, an elderly woman, was examined and was unharmed.
The Courier’s calls to the Yellow Cab Company to obtain the driver’s full name were not returned.