Fairfield firefighters responded at about 5:20 a.m. Sunday to the gas station at 975 Kings Highway E., Assistant Chief Schuyler Sherwood said.
The fire was heavily involved when they arrived. The gas station operator had activated the extinguishing system before the firefighters arrived, but it did not put down the blaze, Sherwood said.
Firefighters beat back the blaze to keep it from extending to the gas pumps, he said. There were no incidents or injuries, Sherwood said.
The driver said he was on the highway when he saw smoke and flames in the interior of the car and pulled off, Sherwood said.
“The outcome of this incident would have been much worse if the car was closer to the pumps and was not extinguished as rapidly as it was,” he said.
Fairfield Fire Department Engine 2, Engine 3, Engine 4, Engine 1, Rescue 1, Ladders 2, and Car 3 responded to the scene.
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