Car Accident To Blame For Hwy 4 Fire

Copperopolis, CA — Some 130 acres of yellow and green vegetation is now black following a fire on the southeast corner of Highway 4 at Milton road Tuesday afternoon.

Highway Patrol reports indicate a Ford Astro van ran through a stop sign and hit an eastbound Ford F-350 truck, which then slammed into a power pole.

Fire officials say when the pole landed on the truck, sparks flew and ignited the grass.

The accident and large fire caused the highway to be closed for close to 30 minutes.

CDF crews quickly put out the blaze with the use of two C-130 tankers and three helicopters; however PG&E officials were left to dig another hole to put up the power pole that was knocked down.

The C.H.P. reported no serious injuries. The driver of the Ford Astro van was not insured. Marion Schworer has leased the property for 36 years. He estimated the loss in winter cattle feed at $6,000 plus the expense of replacing the fence.

Written by Sabrina Sabbagh