LAC LA BICHE - The gutted remains of a car that caught fire on Tuesday was drawing some attention on Wednesday afternoon behind Lac La Biche's Almac Hotel.
The burning car, a late model Pontiac Grand Prix, was reported to the Lac La Biche County Protective Services fire department on Tuesday at about 10:15 a.m. Thick smoke was already billowing from inside the passenger compartment of the car and from under the hood when fire crews and RCMP arrived at the scene, in the hotel's rear parking lot.
Firefighters quickly soaked the vehicle, putting out hotspots inside, under the hood and in the trunk.
No injuries were reported in the fire.
Lac La Biche RCMP say the fire was not suspicious and could have been related to some recent work the owner said had been done to the car.
RCMP say the owner had reportedly been "tinkering" with the vehicle prior to the fire, but was not at the scene when the fire began.
Police also say the owner considered the car to be a bit of a "junker".
When asked about the car not being moved from the scene for over a day, Lac La Biche RCMP Staff Sgt Jerry Nutbrown said the insurance company or the owner is responsible to remove and dispose of the vehicle's remains. Since the vehicle is on private property, he said there is no ticket or fine for leaving it on a public roadway. Lac La Biche County officials could issue a warning or ticket if the vehicle isn't moved and is considered unsightly.