ATHENS, Ga.,None — Investigators said a fire that destroyed a propane-fueled Jackson County sheriff's patrol cruiser occurred because a vapor barrier designed to keep propane fumes from leaking into the car's passenger compartment was misplaced.
Investigators said they don't know what happened to the vapor barrier or an associated fitting, though they believe it was left unsecured after routine maintenance.
Chief Deputy David Cochran said Thursday that workers will inspect all 62 propane-fueled patrol cars to make sure they are safe.
The fire broke out Monday morning while Deputy Gary Cox was on his way to a call north of Jefferson. He says he lit a cigarette and the interior of the cruiser caught fire. Cox was treated at a hospital for burns and released.