PORTSMOUTH, Va. — UPDATE: A spokeswoman for Portsmouth Police Department emailed 13News Now late Saturday night, addressing the victim's latest known condition and what caused the vehicle to crash and catch on fire.
"The victim suffered a medical emergency causing him to lose control of his vehicle striking another vehicle and getting pinned on a fire hydrant. His foot stayed on the gas causing the tires to burn out and catch fire. Victim suffered severe burns and was transported to local hospital. He’s in stable condition."
ORIGINAL STORY: The actions of some Portsmouth firefighters are under review following a fiery crash close to the intersection of Lincoln and Effingham Streets on Wednesday.
Members of the Portsmouth Police Department (PPD) and Portsmouth Fire-Rescue are facing backlash from some citizens over their response.
Witness videos circulating online show a driver trapped while his SUV went up in smoke.
13News Now is working to understand whether first responders followed their training and department protocols when responding to the scene. Portsmouth firefighters couldn't answer our questions Friday, citing an ongoing after-action review.
Deputy Fire Chief Julian Williamson issued the following statement:
"Portsmouth Fire-Rescue is committed to saving lives and ensuring the health and safety of our community, which is our number one priority. We are conducting an after-action review of the vehicle fire on Lincoln Street on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
Upon completing a comprehensive after-action review of this incident, our department will be able to answer all inquiries."
PPD representatives haven't responded to Friday inquiries. Furthermore, the president of the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police said he could not offer comment, because he's currently employed by PPD.
Meanwhile, several people who live in Portsmouth were not shy to share how they felt after 13News Now showed them this witness video uploaded on Instagram.
The silver SUV caught fire Wednesday afternoon near the intersection of Lincoln and Effingham Streets in Prentis Place.
"The smoke was black," said neighbor Mary Johnson.
The witness video from Instagram showed police officers first on the scene. They periodically tried to pull the driver out of a burning SUV multiple times, to no avail.
Emergency responders could be seen stepping back and walking away from the SUV, at some points.
"Because of their lives, they're human, too," Johnson added.
Some people said they would've worried about a possible explosion.
"Sometimes, you have to look at the bigger picture, the life of others or one life," said a Portsmouth resident and former Marine, who acknowledged a toll on the first responders' end.
Other people 13News Now spoke with felt more could have been done on the part of the police officers and firefighters.
"I don't feel it was enough effort. It was very poor," said lifelong Portsmouth resident Sharmice Hargrove. "That's not fair. I'm so mad right now."
In the witness video, minutes passed while the driver was stuck inside and caught fire himself.
"A lot could have been done, they had plenty of time before the fire could have gotten to the front of the vehicle," said a Portsmouth resident, who did not want to give his name.
"A lot of people are concerned, a lot of people are hurt, a lot of people care about the outcome of this situation," said Portsmouth City Councilman De'Andre Barnes, who viewed a longer video posted by another witness.
Barnes claimed that the video showed an apparent delayed response to the scene from firefighters stationed across the street, while he commended officers for their efforts.
"From the video, it looked like it was quite a good little time before the fire department showed up, just looking at the video," said Barnes. "I feel if they would have arrived a little earlier, they probably would have gotten him out of the car in time before it got to the point it got."
Barnes personally knows the driver of the SUV, describing him as an active and involved member of the local community.
Barnes and other people 13News Now spoke with in Portsmouth on Friday are pulling and praying for the driver's recovery.