SUV gutted in fiery Oakland crash; no one found inside

OAKLAND, Calif. — Authorities said an SUV crashed into a fence and burst into flames in the city’s Chinatown district Friday morning.

Before police and firefighters arrived, whoever was in the vehicle fled. Investigators were attempting to determine whether the vehicle had been stolen prior to the collision.

The fiery collision occurred at the intersection of Seventh and Harrison streets around 7 a.m. Friday.

According to police, the white Ford Explorer was speeding when it exited the Posey Tube from Alameda and headed northbound on Harrison Street.

It crashed into a metal and wooden parking lot fence on the northeast corner and caught fire after hitting a traffic signal on the south side of Seventh Street.

Before police and firefighters arrived to search for anyone in need of rescue, a passerby broke some of the windows of the burning vehicle, but no one was inside, according to authorities.

The SUV eventually caught fire, engulfing it in bright yellow and orange flames and spewing plumes of black smoke into the sky. By 7:15 a.m., firefighters had extinguished the fire. No one appeared at the scene while police were present to claim ownership or claim to be driving the SUV.

Police were attempting to contact the registered owner to determine whether the vehicle had been stolen and, if so, when and where it had been stolen.