Man runs from vehicle and collapses in flames, dies after van fire outside Daytona Beach police station

A Lake City man died after the van he had been driving caught fire in the parking lot of the Daytona Beach Police Department, investigators said.

The victim, 55, died at the scene in the front parking lot of the police department at 12 Valor Blvd. around 2:19 a.m., said Daytona Beach police spokesman Messod Bendayan.

Police said the gray 2003 Ford van pulled into the parking lot near the entrance to the lobby of the police headquarters. Officers saw flames coming from the van, Bendayan said.

The man driving the van then ran out of the vehicle engulfed in flames. He collapsed in the parking lot about five feet from the van and died, Bendayan said.

Daytona Beach firefighters extinguished the fire, police said.

The victim’s identity is not being released until his family is notified, Bendayan said.

“It’s not clear at this point what caused the fire, but the initial investigation indicates it was not due to a mechanical issue inside the van,” Bendayan stated in a news release.

One of the van’s front tire’s exploded and investigators are also trying to determine what caused the tire to blow out, Bendayan said.

“There was no bomb or anything like that,” he added.

The state Fire Marshal’s Office is assisting Daytona police with the investigation, Bendayan said.