Fire breaks out after car hits gas pump during police chase in Florence

FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW) — A car crashed into a gas pump Wednesday night and caused a fire after a brief police chase, according to Florence police Capt. Stephen Starling.

Stephen Andrew Carter, 42, was charged with failure to stop for a blue light, grand larceny, driving under suspension and possession of marijuana.

Police got a report of a stolen vehicle and noticed a vehicle matching the description of the stolen vehicle in the area of Evans Street and Franklin Street. Officers tried to pull over the car, but it did not stop.

  • News13 photo: Taylor Ford
    News13 photo: Taylor Ford
  • News13 photo: Taylor Ford
    News13 photo: Taylor Ford
  • News13 photo: Taylor Ford
    News13 photo: Taylor Ford
  • News13 photo: Taylor Ford
    News13 photo: Taylor Ford

After a short pursuit, the vehicle hit a gas pump on Evans Street and Franklin Street causing a fire, according to police. The Florence Fire Department put out the fire.

Residents on King Avenue were asked to evacuate but were allowed to return once the fire was under control.

Florence County Emergency Management said Evans Street and Edisto Drive, Calhoun Drive and Evans Street, and King Avenue and Franklin Drive were closed as a result of the crash. The intersections have since reopened.

No one was hurt in the crash.

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Taylor Ford is a digital journalist for News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2023. Taylor is a Florence native and covers the Pee Dee out of News13’s Florence Bureau. Read more of Taylor’s work here.

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