RUMFORD – A 45-year-old Rumford man was arrested Monday on a charge of operating under the influence and operating after suspension after his vehicle caught fire on Route 232.

Timothy Flaherty was taken into custody by Rumford officer Peter Casey after flames erupted in the engine compartment of his 1989 GMC sport utility vehicle on the bridge that spans the Androscoggin River.

Sgt. Daniel Garbarini said Wednesday that Flaherty is scheduled to appear in 11th District Court, Northern Oxford Division, on Jan. 3.

Rumford Fire Department Lt. Keith Bickford said Tuesday that about 10 firefighters and two engines responded to the fire at 5:15 p.m. Monday. The scene was cleared in about an hour.

Bickford said the fire was likely caused by a water-pump belt. When firefighters arrived, the entire motor compartment was on fire, he said.

Neither Flaherty nor a passenger was hurt in the incident. The vehicle was destroyed.

– Eileen Adams