Photo credit: Atchison Police Department

(KAIR)--A Monday afternoon vehicle fire, in Atchison, sent a man to the hospital. 

Atchison Fire Chief Ted Graf told MSC News it happened at 4th Street and U.S. Highway 59, around 2:00, where a pickup truck was reported to be on fire with the driver still inside.

Atchison Police arrived first, and helped the driver out of the vehicle.

When firefighters arrived, Graf said they found the rear passenger side tire burning, and quickly extinguished it.

Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson identified the driver as 65-year-old Atchison resident Eugene Price.

Although Price was transported to the Atchison Hospital by Atchison County EMS for evaluation, Wilson said he did not suffer injuries due to the fire.

According to Graf, the preliminary investigation indicates the fire began due to the truck being driven on three flat tires, with friction of the rims on the roadway the likely cause.

Wilson said the investigation is continuing, but it's known the vehicle had just crossed the Amelia Earhart Memorial Bridge, entering into Atchison from Missouri, when the fire was reported.

Assisting at the scene were the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Atchison County Sheriff's Office.