A driver sustained minor injuries Thursday morning when a car hit a tree and caught on fire, according to South Whidbey Fire/EMS.

One engine, one tender, two aid vehicles, two chief officers and a total of nine personnel responded to the call that came in at 8:21 a.m. on Oct. 24, Assistant Chief Terry Ney said. A car had driven off East Harbor Road in Freeland and struck a tree; the impact caused the battery to short out and start the fire.

The vehicle’s sole occupant was out of the car by the time help arrived. The driver was transported by ambulance to WhidbeyHealth Medical Center.

The Island County Sheriff’s Office and the Langley Police Department also responded to the scene. The road was closed for about 45 minutes.

Social media users commented on Facebook posts about the accident to let others know about a black cat that escaped from the back of the blazing car and was missing.

Ney said he also read about the cat, but South Whidbey Fire/EMS was not made aware of it while on scene.

(Photo provided by South Whidbey Fire/EMS) Firefighters worked to put out a blazing car Thursday morning in Freeland.