OTISFIELD – A Harrison driver escaped injury Monday night when his sport utility vehicle burst into flames on Bow Street, Maine State Police Trooper Gregory Tirado said.

Arthur Lamontagne, 23, was headed toward Ryefield Bridge about 11 p.m. when he noticed an electrical problem in his 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe, the trooper said.

“Apparently he had some electrical issues with the vehicle,” Tirado said, and flames erupted in the engine compartment. They quickly spread, destroying the vehicle.

“There’s so much stuff that burns in these so rapidly,” the investigator said, that it’s hard to save vehicles once flames get started.

Otisfield Fire Department doused the fire, and the charred shell was towed away.

Fire Chief Mike Hooker said the exact cause of the fire is unknown.