A major traffic artery in Grand Prairie had to be shut down Sept. 14 after a single car crashed into a gas meter that was located near the street, igniting an explosive fire that sent flames shooting 20 feet into the air.
Firefighters were dispatched around 11:30 p.m., originally to a car fire in the 2400 block of SE 14th. The call was soon changed to a full assignment structure fire when flames were reported approaching a house.
Fire crews quickly extinguished the car but could only keep the blowtorch like flame from spreading fire to a nearby home and utility pole while waiting for the gas supplier to shut service to the meter.
An Atmos Energy technician arrived around 12:30 am to shut off the gas, extinguishing the flame.
The driver of the vehicle was not injured. The fire damaged the vehicle involved in the crash, a utility pole and surrounding vegetation.
- Bob Fitch/Grand Prairie Reporter
