May 25--The photo Vacaville police posted on their Facebook page was telling.
Behind the car's peeling, soot-covered exterior and its hollowed, scorched interior was a lesson for parent and child alike.
"Public Service Announcement," Vacaville announced. "As the drought continues and we head into summer, please remember to teach your children about the consequences of playing with fire."
On Monday night, one Vacaville 10-year-old girl and her mother learned that the hard way after the child accidentally torched her mother's car.
"It's a bad combination. Little kids with lighters never end well," said police spokesman Mark Mazzaferro.
Apparently the girl's mother was inside the family home while the girl was in the car with the lighter and some toothpicks, Mazzaferro said. The girl set one toothpick aflame, which then ignited the rest of the car.
If it weren't for some quick-thinking neighbors with fire extinguishers, it could have been worse, police said. No injuries were reported.
joseph.serna@latimes.com
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