USA Employee's Car Catches Fire

Longtime USA employee Donald Bumpers' car caught fire at approximately 3:40 p.m. on Old Shell Road east of the Brick Pit. The car was completely destroyed in the ensuing inferno and had to be towed from the scene.

Mobile Fire Department (MFD) responded quickly to the resulting blaze and no one was harmed in the fire.

Bumpers reported the car had been "running roughly" for a few days but he had not taken it to be repaired. He pulled over when people in passing cars said flames were coming out of the side of his car.

Bumpers then got out of the car and called 911. MFD arrived on the scene and had extinguished the fire at a little after 4 p.m.

MFD Captain Scott Miller, who responded to the call, said he could not determine what caused the fire since it was engulfed when they arrived. The smoke from the blaze was visible from miles away, he said.

Bumpers said he has been working in the University of South Alabama's grounds department for about 19 years. He was driving a 1995 Pontiac Bonneville, and he said he had full coverage auto insurance.

Nearby residents also called 911. One of these residents, who identified herself as Ms. Leacy, said she was in her backyard when she heard popping sounds coming from in front of her house.

The tires on the car had exploded.

As she was walking around the side of her house, the car was engulfed in flames, and she heard a loud boom.