Car Catches on Fire in Downtown Princeton, Buildings Evacuated

A black Dodge Stratus caught on fire on Spring Street near the intersection of Witherspoon Street  just before 3 p.m. this afternoon.

Grey plumes of smoke billowed and the air became filled with the smell of chemicals and burning metal as the car was incinerated. Fire and emergency workers wearing uniforms masks spent several minutes putting the fire out. Nearby buildings were evacuated, and the smoke set off fire alarms in at least one building.

The crowds enjoying the nice weather on Hinds Plaza fled as the smoke clouds grew, and onlookers watched the firefighters do their work from across the street on Witherspoon Street.

It is not clear what caused the fire, though people on the scene said it appeared to be an electrical malfunction. More information will be posted as it becomes available.