Car fire flames spread to Smart & Final in Salinas

UPDATED 5/30/2018:

A heroic rescue after a car catches fire, also damaging a Salinas store.

No one was seriously hurt, but the family did lose valuables in the car.

It happened at Smart & Final on East Market Street in Salinas.

Though it could have been a deadly scene everyone is home safe thanks to the quick actions of the van’s owner.

“My sister was asleep and then my grandma [woke] her up and told her to find her parents because the van had smoke,” the older daugter of the van’s owner said.

The van owner immediately rushed outside only to see his van filled with smoke and his 65 year old mother still inside.

“My dad came and then grabbed my grandma from the back because there was all smoke in the van and stuff.”

As soon as he got her out, the car burst into flames, catching a part of Smart & Final store on fire as well.

The Salinas Fire Department says the building damage itself could cost at least $5,000.

More damage may have been done by the smoke inside the store.

“When you look at the contents of the building that may have to be discarded because of the smoke contamination, you could be talking several thousand, maybe 10 to 15 thousand more dollars in loss to the structure,” said Interim Fire Chief Brett Loomis.

The van itself is a total loss of up to $20,000 but the family, who didn’t want to go on camera or give their name, say it’s actually much more than that.

“My dad’s mariachi band he had all his instruments his, contracts, people’s stuff and everything.”

Still, this family is trying to stay positive on a day they lost so much.

“I’m grateful that nobody was injured that my dad got my grandma and sister in time or else we don’t know what would happen.”

PREVIOUS STORY: A vehicle fire has closed Smart and Final in Salinas after a van caught part of the building on fire.

In the midst of that chaos a heroic rescue also happened.

The owner of the van was in the store when a family member ran inside to tell him it was on fire.

That man’s 65-year-old mother was still in the car. He ran to rescue her, twisting his ankle in the process and injuring his hands and arms.

Despite the loss the family experienced the man’s daughter who did not wish to be shown on camera says there’s still much to be grateful for.

“I’m grateful that nobody was injured that my dad got my grandma and sister in time of everything or else we don’t know what would happen.”

The Salinas Fire Department says the building was filled with smoke and that building repair could be at least $5,000.

Still thousands more could still be lost because of the produce and food inside the store.

Right now it’s up to a health department representative to determine what can or can’t be salvaged.

For now the store is still closed.

Tonight at 10 and 11, more from the family on the important property they lost inside that van.