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Jeep bursts into flames in Michigan family's driveway

Posted at 6:50 PM, Oct 24, 2017
and last updated 2017-10-25 07:54:01-04

A Jeep burst into flames while sitting parked in a family's driveway. It's the latest struggle for a Garden City, Michigan couple battling cancer.  

The incident began Sunday night. The Dodge family says someone shot a pellet gun at their front window. They thought it was random, but now they believe they are being targeted and don't know why. 

Around 2 a.m. Tuesday morning, the Dodge family awoke to a car alarm blaring. That's when they saw the family Jeep consumed in flames.

"The windows blew out and we were afraid of the gas tank catching. We had pieces of the Jeep exploding off into my front yard on fire," says Jack Dodge. 

He and his brother live with their parents who are ill. 

"My mom woke up and was in tears," says Jack.

It's the house Jack's mom, Jody,  grew up in. She then raised her own family there with her husband, Steve. Jody served on the city council. She's survived breast cancer, bladder cancer and her family's fight isn't over.

"My dad has brain cancer and my mom was just diagnosed with bone cancer," says Jack.

They set up a GoFundMe page to help cover Jody and Steve's medical expenses, now they also have to replace their vehicle.

Jack says he doesn't know why anyone would target his family, but he's hoping someone will come forward with information. 

"Just in case anyone hears anything or knows anything, because if someones out here is firebombing, they need to be caught," says Jack. 

Police took what was left of the Jeep as evidence and are investigating this as arson according to the Dodge family.