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CFD gets quick knock on car fire

Chester firefighters were on scene of a car fire on West German Street for about a half hour on Friday and an electrical short is believed to be the cause.

According to Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert, the car's owner, James Hall Jr., parked the vehicle in front of his residence in the 500 block of West German Street around 7 p.m. Several hours later, a passerby in the area noticed smoke in the vehicle and alerted the residents.

The fire was reported at 11:12 p.m.

"It had an internal short somewhere on the driver's side under the steering wheel," Bert said. "The car was full of smoke. The windshield was already cracked, so we put the hose down through the defroster vent."

Bert said he believes the vehicle to be a total loss.

"They have to replace the windshield and put in a whole new wiring system," he said. "It might be salvageable, but in my opinion, it's a total loss."

Bert noted that Hall was going to call his insurance company and have them come look at the vehicle.

Chester firefighters also responded to the report of a fire alarm sounding at Integrity Healthcare of Chester (770 State Street) at 6:09 p.m. Saturday, but it was determined one of the residents pulled the alarm.