Photos & Story by
Fire Investigator George Lucia, Sr.
Vista Fire Department

On July 1, 2002, at 1700 hours, Truck 1271 of the Vista Fire Department was dispatched to a car fire at West Vista Way at Santa Clara.

Vista is a Southern California City and district area made up of 40 square miles of canyons, rural, city and industrial parks.

The population is 100,000 people and the fire protection is provided by the City of Vista Fire Department.

The VFD is made up of 70 career firefighters and staff with 4 stations.

VFD provides EMS. Fire and heavy rescue service along with fire investigation and fire prevention services.

A Fire Prevention unit viewing the incident from the freeway reported to "Rancho Dispatch" that the incident was serious 3-car traffic collision with one vehicle on fire.

The call was upgraded to a Rescue response adding Battalion 1203 Chief Norton along with Engine 1211, Rescue 1251, and Rescue Ambulance 1291.

First on scene T 1271 reported a three car traffic collision with one car on fire and extensive damage.

First in officer size-up found that all victims had escaped on their own with minor injuries.

Photo Notes - the one vehicle slit in half from the impact. A female in the crash felt a liquid on her body and smelled gasoline. She escaped her car just before it burst into flames.