SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- A drone is being blamed for Tuesday's field fire in Springfield, and the blaze sparking up was caught on video by the drone's camera.
Cameron Austin-Connolly said he was flying his drone over the field near the intersection of Marcola Road and 28th Street Tuesday afternoon when an off-leash dog caused him to drop the drone's controls.
In the video, you can see the drone spiraling out of control and its crash landing. Almost immediately after the crash, flames and smoke erupted in front of the camera. Austin-Connolly said as soon he saw smoke, he called 911.
“I have not heard of a drone under this circumstance doing what it did … and they having the video to show exactly what happened,” said Mark Dahl with the Eugene Springfield Fire Marshal’s Office.
Fire officials said the fire burned two and half acres before crews were able to get it under control.
While fire officials said this was a one-of-a-kind accident, they are concerned. Along with Austin-Connolly, they are warning other drone pilots of the possible dangers.
Investigators said they will not charge Austin-Connolly for the cost of the firefighting effort.
To watch the video in full, CLICK HERE.