Crime & Safety

Fire in Drew Public Safety Vehicle Extinguished

Fire started near wiring in Dodge Charger's trunk, Madison fire chief says.

Madison firefighters extinguished a smoldering, smoky fire in the trunk of a Drew University Public Safety patrol car Sunday night that apparently was caused by an electrical problem, officials said.

The fire started around the wiring to the Dodge Charger's battery, which is in the trunk for that vehicle model, Madison Fire Chief Lou DeRosa said.

The car was behind the Department of Public Safety's headquarters on the school campus when firefighters arrived. 

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Judy Rosenbaum, Public Safety administrative assistant, said a Public Safety officer drove the car there after noticing there was a problem. DeRosa said the fire could have spread to the rest of the car if the fire wasn't caught in time.

He said the fire was small and firefighters put it out with a fire extinguisher. They removed the contents of the trunk and disconnected the battery.

Find out what's happening in Madisonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Rosenbaum said the department has two other patrol vehicles and being down a vehicle until the affected one is repaired would not be a problem.


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