Image: Brad Jensen, permission granted by Brad Jensen / Chilliwack resident Brad Jensen says he witnessed a car on fire at the Esso gas station at Vedder and Thomas early Saturday morning. He took this picture at approximately 3 a.m. Jensen says firefighters responded within minutes to the scene of the car fire. The gas station did not appear to sustain significant fire damage Saturday morning.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Car fire at Esso on Vedder

Fire torches vehicle at Esso on Vedder Road overnight

Apr 8, 2023 | 9:17 AM

**UPDATE at 10:38 a.m.: Assistant Fire Chief Michael Bourdon of the Chilliwack Fire Department says the vehicle that was burned may have been stolen and set on fire. Bourdon says the incident is now under investigation by the Chilliwack RCMP.**

Original story below:

CHILLIWACK — Chilliwack resident Brad Jensen says he witnessed a car on fire at the Esso gas station at Vedder Road and Thomas Road overnight, prompting what he says was a swift response from Chilliwack firefighters.

According to his Facebook post at 3:08 a.m. on Saturday, April 8, Jensen witnessed a vehicle catch fire near one of the gas pumps.

“When I drove by, the whole front of the black Caravan was engulfed,” Jensen said. “Took roughly three minutes or so for the firefighters to arrive, in that time the whole minivan caught on fire and tires had exploded. The pump was smouldering from heat, we watched them put it out and I drove away. When I came back through the police officers were on scene, as well as more firefighters going through the scene.”

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Jensen said he did not see anyone around the vehicle at the time of the fire.

The convenience store itself did not appear to sustain significant fire damage Saturday morning when a reporter visited the gas station.

The gas pumps at Esso were not working Saturday morning at 9 a.m., as coloured pylons were positioned in front of each gas pump. A service van was parked near the gas pump where the vehicle fire occurred.

A picture shared to social media Saturday showed one gas pump with heat damage.

Assistant Fire Chief Michael Bourdon of the Chilliwack Fire Department said fire crews worked quickly to protect the gas station.

“Our crews did a great job to quickly extinguish the fire and protect the structure,” Bourdon said in a Saturday morning email. “The gas attendant was quick enough to shut off the gas to the pumps and safely evacuate the building. There is one pump that sustained heat damage.”

There were no firefighter or civilian injuries, Bourdon said.

“It appears the vehicle may have been stolen and set on fire. The incident is now under investigation by RCMP,” Bourdon said.

Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / PML