FRESNO, CA — A fiery crash in southeast Fresno left one person dead Friday evening after a sedan struck a power pole at Willow and Iowa avenues, according to Fresno police. The impact snapped the pole at its base and sent energized lines onto the vehicle, turning the wreck into a fire that could be seen across the area.
Police said the crash happened around 4:30 p.m. and knocked out electricity for about 3,000 customers. Fresno Fire crews and hazardous materials personnel responded and extinguished the flames after the car became fully engulfed. Officers later found a dead person outside the burned vehicle.
Police say driver exited the car before the fire started
Fresno Police Lt. Justin Hoagland said investigators believe the driver got out of the sedan after the collision and moved toward the downed wires before the fire began. He said detectives do not yet know whether the person tried to move the wires or touched them by accident.
Witnesses are still being interviewed as investigators work to determine the exact sequence of events. Hoagland said the fire was ignited at that point, after the person left the vehicle and approached the energized lines. Authorities have not released the identity of the deceased person.
Fire crews found a burned vehicle with arcing lines overhead
When Fresno Fire arrived, crews found the sedan burning with power lines arcing on top of it. The scene was described as severe, with the car left as a charred shell after the flames were put out.
Hoagland said Fresno Fire Hazmat personnel arrived at the same time as police and helped extinguish the blaze. After the fire was under control, responders discovered the body outside the vehicle. Officials have not said whether the person died from the crash, electrocution, burns, or a combination of injuries.
Road closures and outage affected the surrounding neighborhood
The crash forced police to close Tulare Avenue and Willow Avenue in both directions while crews worked the scene and utility workers dealt with the damaged equipment. The outage affected thousands of customers in the area, adding another disruption for residents and nearby businesses.
Fresno police urged drivers to stay away from any hanging or downed wires and to call 911 if they encounter one. Officials said energized lines can remain dangerous even after a crash appears to be over, and they asked the public not to touch or move them under any circumstance.
Investigators have not said what caused the sedan to strike the pole
Police have not released the reason the sedan hit the power pole or whether other vehicles were involved. The investigation is continuing as officers gather witness statements and review what happened in the moments before the fire.
For now, officials say the scene included a vehicle fire, a fallen pole, live wires, a power outage and one fatality. Those details make the crash one of the most serious recent traffic scenes in southeast Fresno, though investigators have not yet shared any findings about possible contributing factors.
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