Off-Duty Captain Helps Evacuate Nail Salon After Car Fire

The electric vehicle struck a nail salon in a strip mall on Alicia Parkway in Mission Viejo at about 11:40 a.m. on November 4, then caught fire. Off-duty Orange County Fire Authority Captain Chris Chang ran into the burning business to check that everyone had left, the department said.

A captain and engineer from Engine 12 were nearby, accompanying an ambulance that was taking a patient to a hospital from an unrelated call. After hearing the fire dispatch, they diverted to the salon and arrived first. They joined Chang in using several hoselines to extinguish the flames.

The fire was put out before it spread significantly to neighboring businesses. The salon is at 24395 Alicia Parkway, beside a dry cleaner and a Mexican restaurant. Video from the scene showed heavy black smoke rising from the burning vehicle.

Fire officials did not immediately report any injuries related to the crash. The cause of the vehicle’s collision with the salon was not clear.