Full Notification

During the early morning hours today, at approximately 12:09 a.m., the Turlock Fire Department responded to calls of a vehicle fire in the 200 block of D Street.  At least two witnesses heard the boom from the tires popping, as a result of the intense heat, which led them to report the fire.
 
Upon arrival, Turlock firefighters found the vehicle fully engulfed in flames.  They also located a male in an alley way, near the vehicle, who was suffering with life threatening burn injuries.  The man was transported to a nearby landing site and was flown to a burn center to undergo surgery. 
 
Turlock Fire Department firefighters extinguished the fire and turned the scene over to the Police Department.  Turlock Police Detectives and an Investigator with the Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigations Unit were called to investigate this incident. 
 
Video evidence suggests the burned man had been in the backseat and pulled from the vehicle by an unknown good samaritan while the vehicle was engulfed in flames.  The good samaritan did not remain on scene and Detectives are working to identify this person, asking that they come forward and provide a statement.   
 
Detective Bertram said, “If this good samaritan had not helped when they did, our investigation would look very different.  This person most certainly saved the man’s life.”    
 
At this point, there is no indication that this fire was an arson, however, the cause and origin of fire is still under investigation. 
 
The Turlock Police Department asks that anyone with information about this investigation to call Detective Brandon Bertram at (209) 664-7323.  You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at [email protected]. 
 
The Turlock Police Department is an active participant in the Crime Stoppers Program.  Callers can leave an anonymous tip by calling Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 and may be eligible for a cash reward. 
 
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This information is being released by Turlock Police Department Sergeant Michael Parmley.

Any media requests should contact:
Sergeant Michael Parmley
Office of Professional Standards
Turlock Police Department
Office phone - (209) 664-7345
Email – [email protected]