Mother, children rescued from burning car after crash near Village of Richfield

A mother and three children are safe following a car crash on the border of the Village of Richfield and Town of Polk Wednesday morning, Nov. 1.

According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, two vehicles collided at the intersection of Pioneer Road and Mayfield Road around 7:11 a.m.

A 34-year-old woman from Hartford reported that she was involved in a crash with another vehicle, and she was unable to open the doors to the car or roll down the windows due to the damage. Her three children were in the vehicle with her -- a 14-year-old, 7-year-old and 5-year-old.

Officials say when the first deputy arrived on scene, the car's engine compartment started on fire. The deputy attempted to put the fire out, but it continued to spread. The deputy then used a window breaking tool to break two of the windows and pull the children out. The mother was also able to exit.

The sheriff's office says the fire continued to spread until extinguished by the Richfield Fire Department.

An investigation revealed a 50-year-old Hartford man was traveling westbound on Pioneer Road in heavy traffic when he made an "unsafe U-turn." The female driver was traveling eastbound on Pioneer Road and was unable to stop for the other vehicle in her lane of traffic when the collision occurred.

The sheriff's office says the male driver was not hurt; he will be cited for making an unsafe U-turn.

Authorities say none of the children were injured, and the mother sustained minor scratches.