By Police1 Staff

MENASHA, Wis. — The City of Menasha Police Department said Officer Matt Spiegel and his K-9 unit, Athos, are safe after their cruiser caught fire, WBAY reports.

Speigel noticed a strange smell during a traffic stop coming from inside his cruiser. When smoke began to fill the car from the vents, Speigel moved the car away from buildings, got Athos out and retreated to a safe distance.

The department said it was “extremely fortunate” that nothing happened to Athos.

“Often times so that the dog stay comfortable in hot and cold those vehicles are left running and we’re just glad it wasn’t sitting behind the station running with the dog in it,” Officer Aaron Zemlock said to WBAY.

Speigel, along with other officers, were able to remove the cruiser’s radio, rifles and other equipment before it completely engulfed in flames.

The incident was determined to be an electric fire, but other cars are being looked at to determine whether it was isolated.