No injuries in fire in deputy's vehicle

Fire broke out in Douglas County Sheriff's Office vehicle on Wednesday as deputies were transporting a suspect to the Minden jail.

There were no injuries, and the woman - suspected of driving under the influence - was safely transported to the jail, authorities said.

East Fork Fire investigator Capt. Terry Taylor said preliminary investigation indicates the fire may have originated in a radar battery pack in the deputy's duty bag.

"We believe there were accessory items that are part of the sheriff's battery-powered equipment that were the source of the fire," Taylor said.

According to reports, deputies Ron Skibinski and Kevin Karosich first noticed an odor similar to an electrical short or electrical fire when they stopped to arrest the suspect.

Skibinski said he inventoried his vehicle and the suspect's, but all equipment was cool to the touch and the odor disappeared.

He said while driving north on Highway 395 at Stratton Center, the odor returned and he noticed white smoke in the cab. He radioed dispatch and and asked fire personnel to meet him at the jail.

When they reached Highway 395 and Mono Avenue, the suspect said, "What's that smell? It's getting hot. It's getting hot."

Skibinski said he looked in the rearview mirror of the 2007 Chevy Tahoe and saw flames coming from his duty bag which was in storage behind the female passenger.

He radioed dispatch for backup and East Fork Fire and Paramedics and turned into Holler's Automotive.

Karosich removed the suspect and Skibinski ran to the rear of the vehicle, grabbed the burning bag and threw it 20 feet from the vehicle into the parking lot.

He removed two other smoking pieces of equipment, threw them on the ground, grabbed the vehicle's fire extinguisher, and put out the flames.

Taylor said the damaged items would be examined Sunday, "with the idea of recovering money lost in equipment and smoke damage to the vehicle" if it was the fault of the manufacturer.

Taylor said there was little damage to the vehicle.

He said the deputies' quick response prevented further damage.

"It was very appropriate to get off the street and notify us," Taylor said. "They were able to safely remove the initial object on fire from the back of the truck. There was no issue of safety or security of the prisoner. He (Skibinski) had a partner with him and backup."