As he was driving down Sparta Street on Tuesday afternoon, Kenneth Sorren heard words you never want to hear.

“A guy was yelling at me saying my car was on fire,” said Sorren, who pulled over in front of the former Downtown Service Center. 

McMinnville Fire Department was called as Sorren popped the hood and began beating down the flames with a rag and water he had in the trunk. Firefighters soon arrived on the scene and provided a couple shots of water under the hood to make sure the fire was out.

Sorren says he noticed a smell of gas the last couple days when driving the car, but didn’t think it was serious. He said he only paid $1,000 for it and it’s gotten him around.

“When I bought it, the guy told me the first tow would be free so I’m going to call him and take him up on it,” said Sorren. “I smelled the gas, but I never thought this would happen.”