Staff report

Three people died in a two-vehicle collision Saturday afternoon at Mile 15 of the Kenai Spur Highway, according to a press release from the Kenai Police Department.

At about 5 p.m., according to Kenai Police, a small passenger car driving southbound at a high rate of speed passed a vehicle on the right side of the road, lost control, then crossed into the oncoming lane and collided with a northbound pickup.

Kenai Police said both vehicles caught fire and witnesses pulled passengers from the burning wreckage. According to Kenai Police, all three occupants in the car died, while all four occupants in the pickup survived and were transported to Central Peninsula Hospital with injuries that were not life threatening.

According to Kenai Police, investigation is ongoing to identify the deceased and notify the next of kin. Kenai Police will provide more information as it becomes available.

The Kenai Fire Department and Nikiski Fire Department joined the Kenai Police in responding to the scene.