Jump Starter Starts Car Fire Near Hazleton

A jump-starter device in the trunk of a car, started a fire that totaled the vehicle belonging to an Independence man.

At about 4pm Friday (Sept. 4), the Buchanan County Sheriff's Office received a report of a vehicle fire in the 1300 block of Jackson Avenue (Highway 150), south of Hazleton.

Andrew Hawkins of Independence was driving the car southbound, when he noticed smoke and flames coming from the trunk of the vehicle.

Hawkins was able to pull over to the side of the road and get out, unharmed. The fire engulfed the rear portion of the 2017 Honda Accord.

A preliminary investigation indicated the blaze was started by a jump pack that was put under some clothing in the trunk of the car.

The Accord was totaled.

The Hazleton Fire Department assisted the Buchanan County Sheriff at the scene.