At approximately 7:45 a.m. Monday morning, February 23, a vehicle fire was reported at the intersection of Marmion Way and Arroyo Verde Road in South Pasadena. 911 calls prompted a quick response from police and fire personnel during peak commute hours.
The vehicle was fully engulfed in flames by the time first responders arrived. The driver, a male in his mid-twenties, was able to escape the vehicle and get onto the sidewalk before the fire intensified.
South Pasadena Fire Department crews immediately took control of the situation and extinguished the burning car within minutes. South Pasadena Police officers secured the area and temporarily blocked traffic in both directions along Marmion Way, creating delays during the morning rush. The disruption lasted less than one hour before traffic flow was restored.
The driver told reporters at the scene that he had been experiencing engine trouble while traveling northbound on the 110 Freeway. After exiting onto Marmion Way, he attempted to pull over when the vehicle suddenly burst into flames.
In the process of dealing with the situation, the driver sustained significant burns to both hands, and burns on his arms. One hand was blackened on the palm. The other hand suffered heavy blistering across the fingers and exterior surface. He was not transported by ambulance but elected to seek medical treatment at a hospital on his own. Which he did do.
Despite the severity of the incident, the driver’s primary concern was not the loss of the vehicle, but being late to a new job he had started just two weeks earlier. He also expressed concern about having to leave the disabled car at the curb and apologized to nearby residents for all the trouble.
Neighbors in the area responded with support and encouragement, urging him to prioritize medical attention and wishing him a speedy recovery.
The cause of the fire appears consistent with a mechanical failure, though officials have not released a formal determination. No other injuries were reported.
