Glendora Fire department battle a vehicle fire in the Administration Building parking lot on March 9. The cause of the fire is unknown and no injuries were reported. (Evan Solano/Clarion)
Authorities responded to a vehicle fire in the Administration Building parking lot earlier today.
The incident was reported to Glendora Police around 3:02 p.m., with both Glendora P.D. and the Glendora Fire Department arriving on scene to battle the burning Chevy Astro van that was parked along the side of the building.
Social & behavioral sciences major Samantha Hallinan who is a student worker in the Foster/Kinship Education and Resource Programs was one of the first to arrive on scene.
“When I came out it was already in flames, and there were mini explosions,” Hallinan said.
She mentioned hearing explosions that led her to investigate what was happening outside.
“You could hear three or four of them,” Hallinan said. “We were curious about what was in the car that would make it explode.”
According to reports the incident began when a parent came to campus to pick up her daughter, when suddenly the car began to smoke before it soon became engulfed in flames.
The driver was able to exit the vehicle, taking with her a 10-month-old child who was in the backseat. Authorities say there are no injuries.
“It was pretty scary,” Hallinan said. “Meeting the people who were in the care was really eye opening.”
She was able to speak with both the mother and daughter who she describes as visibly shaken up by the events.
Citrus employee Olivia Canales, who works in the Honors Transfer program was walking by the ED building when she heard the sounds of a fire alarm.
“I heard the sound and realized it was not our building, it was too far away,” Canales said. “I got out and saw the black smoke and flames and though ‘Oh my gosh!'”
Canales came upon the driver of the vehicle who was sitting at a nearby bench and visibly shaken up as Canales describes. The unidentified woman, who only spoke Spanish was telling Canales about how the vehicle had begun go emit black smoke before it erupted in flames.
“I realized that that was the lady, and I asked how we could help her,” Canales said.
In an emailed statement, Campus Safety Supervisor Ben Macias acknowledged the quick response of Campus Safety working alongside Glendora first responders.
Our department was tested yesterday,” Macias said. However, I am proud to say that through the teamwork, commitment, and talent we have on our team; we passed this test.”
This is the second vehicle fire that occurred in the Administration Building parking lot, as authorities responded to a blazing Chevy Suburban that reportedly belonged to a Citrus College employee in August 2015.
The cause of the fire is still unknown as of press time, but Glendora P.D. has ruled out arson.
