RENO COUNTY — One person has died after a car fire in Reno County.
Just before 2:30 p.m. Friday, deputies were dispatched to the area of the 2000 block of east Parallel Road for a vehicle that was driving in and out of the ditch, according to a media release.
While deputies were responding to the scene, dispatch advised that the vehicle was stuck in the ditch and a female passenger was able to get out of the car, but the driver was trying to get the vehicle out of the ditch.
The vehicle then caught fire while the driver was still inside. At this time others who were on scene attempted to pull the driver out of the car, but they were unable to get him out.
As the vehicle fire grew, there was then an explosion from the vehicle and it became fully involved with fire. The driver was still inside of the vehicle and was ultimately consumed by the fire.
A passerby who attempted to remove the driver from the vehicle received injuries from the fire and is being treated for these injuries.
The sheriff's department has not released the identity of the driver. Investigators are working to make a positive identification.
The Reno County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Haven Police Department, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Pretty Prairie EMS, Pretty Prairie/Kingman Fire, District 9 Fire, District 4 Fire, Reno County Chaplain, Reno County District Attorney's Office and Reno County/Hutchinson Emergency Communications.
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