![Photo courtesy JoCoFire.com](https://i0.wp.com/www.jocoreport.com//wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Pine-Needle-Fire-Pict-2.jpg?resize=434%2C252)
A total of six cars were burned, including 4 that were a total loss, following a fire in the parking lot of Pine Needle Plaza on North Brightleaf Boulevard in Smithfield Wednesday afternoon.
The fire was reported around 1pm.
Officials said a car ran over a cardboard box in the roadway and the box became lodged underneath the vehicle. The driver, who soon noticed a burning smell, stopped her car in a parking space in front of Edwards IGA and went inside to try and get something to remove the box.
![Photo courtesy JoCoFire.com](https://i0.wp.com/www.jocoreport.com//wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Pine-Needle-Fire-Pict-1.jpg?resize=435%2C306)
When she came back outside her car was fully engulfed in flames.
The fire quickly spread to 5 other parked vehicles. A total of 4 cars were totally destroyed. Two others were still drivable.
Assistant Johnston County Fire Marshal Banks Wallace ruled the fire accidental. He placed the damage estimate to the cars at about $60,000.
The Smithfield Fire Department was credited for quickly extinguishing the burning vehicles to prevent the fire from spreading to more cars. Photos courtesy JoCoFire.com