Child burned in pickup truck fire at gas station

A 2-year-old girl suffered serious burns in Jackson County about noon Thursday when the pickup truck she was in caught fire, officials said.

The fire was reported at the RaceTrac gas station in the 4700 block of Highway 129 North in Jefferson, police Chief Joe Wirthman said.

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The gas station immediately instituted shut-off procedures so officials say there was no threat to the station or motorists in the area, Wirthman said.

The girl’s father was hurt while rescuing the girl, but his burns were minor and he was treated at the scene before flying with his child to Grady Memorial Hospital, Wirthman said. A bystander was also treated for smoke inhalation after helping with the rescue.

Investigators are not sure what caused the fire that damaged the inside of the truck.

Jackson County is about 60 miles northeast of Atlanta.

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