Severe burn victim airlifted after Toyota Prius fire in Contra Costa County

CLAYTON — One person sustained third degree burns to 60% of their body after a Toyota Prius caught fire near Marsh Creek Road on Sunday afternoon.

Within an hour, the burn victim was stabilized and airlifted by a medical helicopter from Clayton Community Park.

It’s unclear what sparked the single-vehicle fire shortly before 1 p.m., which was not reported as part of a collision or other incident near the Divide Reservoir in unincorporated Contra Costa County.

Emergency and medical personnel have not confirmed the burn victim’s age or gender due to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District’s pending investigation, according to Capt. Victor Daniel.

First responders quickly stabilized and transported the burn victim via ambulance to Clayton Community Park, which is roughly 2.5 miles west of the fire’s location identified in a PulsePoint report. A Reach Air Medical Services helicopter was later cleared for transport to UC Davis, where the Firefighters Burn Institute Regional Burn Center is located.

However, neither CCCFPD nor UC Davis Health officials could confirm the burn victim’s location or medical status by Sunday evening.

Emergency personnel with the California Highway Patrol and Clayton Police Department also responded Sunday afternoon, and Cal Fire quickly extinguished the vehicle fire, which had ignited roughly 200 feet of grass off Marsh Creek Road.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.