At approximately 1:10 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, a pickup truck caught fire near Cedar Avenue and Bulldog Lane, west of the Fresno State campus.
As the truck was driving west on Bulldog Lane, loud scraping sounds were heard coming from the vehicle. The driver pulled to the side of the road and smoke started rising from inside the cab.
Collegian Photo Editor Matt Weir was in the area and asked if the driver of the truck needed help. The man replied, “My truck is on fire! Call 911!” as he proceeded to grab his backpack from the truck and move to a safer distance.
After calling 911 and explaining the situation, Weir captured some video using a cell phone. The flames from the cab started climbing and the smoke turned dark black.
Sounds of popping could be heard as the flames reached different parts of the truck. The horn began to blare continuously. As students and passers by began to gather and watch, a loud bang was heard and flames exploded out a window of the truck.
Approximately five minutes after the call to 911, Fresno Fire Department arrived on scene. The fire was put out and the scene was cleared.