Police investigate car fire at Vidalia hotel

Published 12:01 am Monday, December 18, 2017

Vidalia — A large SUV was discovered engulfed in flames early Saturday morning in the parking lot of Comfort Inn and Suites.
Vidalia Police Department Chief Joey Merrill said the Chevrolet Tahoe was completely ablaze when officers arrived at approximately 6 a.m. Saturday.
Firefighters from the Vidalia Fire Department arrived on the scene and put out the flames.
The car, which belonged to a guest at the hotel, was parked in the lot at the time of the fire.
Lt. Kenny France of the VFD said the cause of the fire is undetermined as of yet and Merrill said the fire is still under investigation.
“As of right now, it is not arson, that has yet to be determined,” Merrill said.
In the event of a fire such as this one, where the cause is not immediately evident, Merrill said interested parties can call the Louisiana State Fire Marshal to continue the investigation.
Merrill said he believed the state fire marshal had been called.
The car had been in working condition that same morning, Merrill said, since the guest who owns the Tahoe used it to jump off his work truck.
France said firefighters had to be wary of the flames because magnesium is used in some car engines.
Magnesium, when burning, can explode if it comes in contact with water.
No one was injured in the fire.

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