Witnesses said the red van appeared to be tailgating another vehicle moments before the fire.
SAN ANTONIO — A shocking scene unfolded downtown last night after a car suddenly burst into flames on East Commerce Street.
The fire broke out just after 8 p.m. Wednesday, sending thick smoke into the air and drawing a swift response from the San Antonio Fire Department.
Cell phone video from across the street captured the moments police and firefighters arrived, flames shooting from a red van as bystanders reacted in disbelief.
An eyewitness who asked not to be identified said they first spotted flames near a nearby building before realizing the vehicle was on fire.
“I was on the back alley and we saw some flames on the building. And so we ran up here. The red truck was fire so I guess it ran over the scooter,” the witness said.
Other witnesses told KENS 5 the red van appeared to be tailgating another vehicle moments before the fire.
“I did hear that it was really close to a truck that was picking up the scooters,” another person said.
Police said the 39-year-old driver was taken to a hospital as a precaution. Fire officials said she suffered an injury to her arm. No other injuries were reported.
Crews worked quickly to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings. By late evening, only charred pavement and debris marked where the fire had burned.
Officials with Bird Micro-Electric Mobility, which provides scooters and bikes downtown, confirmed one of their operations vehicles was struck but said no one was inside at the time. Despite witness accounts, the company said no scooters were involved.