A Chevy sedan erupted into flames across the street from Norwalk Town Square at approximately 6 pm on April 29. Within minutes the Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 20 responded to the incident and put out the flames.

The fire’s thick black smoke could be seen from blocks away as Fire Captain Scott Miller and his team worked quickly to extinguish the fire.

Miller said the fire was unintentional and caused by an electrical issue.

“The owner pulled over because he smelled something, then looked in the trunk and saw flames. He tried to put it out, but it got away from him,” said the fire captain.

Miller reported there were no injuries in the fire.

“My speaker was on fire,” said Robert Guzman, the owner of the vehicle.

“I smelled smoke, so I pulled in right here, I opened the trunk, and my speaker was on fire. I only had the speaker for a few weeks.”

Guzman left the scene, but his mother, Maria, arrived on the scene later to assist with additional paperwork and questions with law enforcement.

“He bought this car about two weeks or so ago. I was shocked,” said the mother. “I was relieved when he said he was safe and uninjured.”

Once the fire department left, Vernola’s Towing Services arrived to take the vehicle away. Since there was nothing to salvage from the car, it will eventually be taken to a junkyard for disposal.

Pedestrians watched as the charred vehicle was towed away.

Vernola’s Towing Services is owned by the family of former Norwalk Mayor Luigi Vernola, who died from COVID-19 complications on January 1.