SIDNEY - An overnight grass fire, triggered by a vehicle fire linked to a high-speed pursuit, broke out along Link 17J east of Sidney early Thursday morning.

The Sidney Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the scene at 1:19 a.m. to extinguish the blaze, which burned approximately 60 acres.

According to a press release from the Nebraska State Patrol, the incident began when troopers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a silver 2007 Buick Lucerne at the intersection of Old Post Road and Silverberg Drive in Sidney around 1:05 a.m. The driver of the vehicle fled eastbound on I-80, reaching speeds of 130 mph.

The Nebraska State Patrol then requested assistance from the Sidney Police Department. Sidney Police were preparing to deploy a tire deflation device as the vehicle approached city limits, but the driver lost control before the device could be used. The car crashed into a field near the intersection of L17J and Old Post Road, igniting a fire that quickly spread due to dry conditions.

Troopers smelled smoke as all three occupants of the vehicle, John Harmon, 32, Kyrie Riggle, 38, and Dakota Schrecengost, 22, all of Sterling, Colorado, exited the vehicle. Shortly after, the vehicle caught fire, with live ammunition inside the car popping as the fire spread.

The fire rapidly consumed a grassy area near Walmart, but firefighters from both Sidney and Potter Volunteer Fire Departments were able to bring it under control. No buildings were damaged and no injuries were reported.

All three individuals were taken into custody. Harmon was arrested for flight to avoid (felony) and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony. Riggle was charged with possession of a controlled substance (meth), and Schrecengost, who had a warrant, was arrested for possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.