Southern Boone fire crews respond to vehicle fire early Saturday morning, driver still missing
BOONE COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Southern Boone County Fire Protection crews and deputies with the Boone County Sheriff's Office are still trying to identify the driver and any other people involved in a car crash that turned into a vehicle fire in the 10000 block of East Englewood Road in Boone County.
According to Southern Boone Deputy Fire Chief Colin Wright, crews responded to a natural cover fire call at around 1:43 a.m. after a resident in the area said he heard a loud noise and saw flames in the tree line.
At the scene, crews found an empty wrecked car engulfed in flames. No additional fire damage was reported.
After extinguishing the vehicle, fire crews searched for anybody who may have been in or around the car at the time of the crash and fire. Boone County Sheriffs arrived to help, as well as Boone County Fire who brought a drone to aid in the search.
With thermal cameras and flashlights, crews searched the wreckage as well as a nearby barn for anyone involved in the crash.
An ABC 17 News reporter at the scene saw that crews had blocked off the area. The reporter also saw three to four Boone County Sheriff's Office cruisers, three Southern Boon Fire Protection District engines, a Boone Healthcare ambulance, and a Boone County Fire Protection District vehicle.
According to Wright, crews are working to identify the driver by pinging nearby cell phone towers and tracking a half-burnt license plate from the crash.
ABC 17 News saw the tow truck arrive at the scene at around 2:42 a.m. with a flatbed tow truck following behind at around 3:13. Tow trucks started to remove the vehicle at around 3:45 a.m.
Wright said it is somewhat common for officials to come across an abandoned vehicle following a crash. However, he encourages drivers to communicate with responders during a crash so they can keep track of any victims.
"If you have a wreck, I know you don't want to get in trouble, but it takes a lot of resources for us to try to find people," Wright said. "So if you're in a wreck, call 911, let us know you're okay because we'll spend the rest of the night probably trying to locate this person."
The scene cleared at around 4:08 a.m.
Officials have not yet reported any injuries from the crash.
