Couple siphoning gas catch fire in Wash. state

[September 10, 2010]  TACOMA, Wash. (AP) -- A couple siphoning gas from a Salvation Army van caught fire when it suddenly erupted in flames in Washington state.

A witness told police two people were trying to siphon gas Wednesday night in a Tacoma church parking lot. As the witness approached and startled the suspects, the fire broke out.

Police spokesman Mark Fulghum (FUL'-jum) told The News Tribune both suspects, the van and a nearby vehicle caught fire. The man was able to put out his own flames and fled before police arrived.

The witness used a garden house to douse the woman. She was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and is expected to recover.

Firefighters put out the vehicle fires.

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Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com/

[Associated Press]

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