1 person dead after fiery southeast Fresno crash knocks power out, officials say
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A fiery crash could be seen throughout the area after a sedan collided with a power pole at the intersection of Willow and Iowa Avenues around 4:30 in southeast Fresno Friday evening.
The impact knocked out power for thousands of customers.
According to Fresno Police, the impact sheared off the pole from its base, and the energized power lines fell on the vehicle.
"We do know he exited his vehicle following the collision and approach the wires, and we don't know if he attempted to move the wires or inadvertently touch the wires at this time. We're still speaking with additional witnesses but it was at that point a fire was ignited," said Fresno Police Lt. Justin Hoagland.
As Fresno Fire crews arrived, they found the car fully engulfed in flames, with power lines arcing on top of it.
We did have Fresno Fire Hazmat personnel arrive to the scene the same time we did and they were able to extinguish the flames," said Lt. Hoagland.
The aftermath of the flames left behind a charred carcass of the car.
It was then when Fresno Fire made a deadly discovery.
"It was at that time that we located an individual outside of the vehicle who was deceased," said Lt. Hoagland.
The crash knocked out power for 3,000 customers in the area and forced police to close Tulare and Willow Avenues in both directions.
Fresno Police reminding drivers to avoid any hanging wires and call 911 if you come across a downed wire.
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