Power lines ignited blaze that destroyed $1.25 million fire dept. vehicle
A communications mast on a fire command vehicle came in contact with overhead power lines, igniting a fire that destroyed the $1.25 million vehicle as firefighters battled a separate fire from a train derailment, according to findings of a preliminary inquiry by fire investigators.
No injuries were reported in the blaze, which occurred about 2:30 a.m. Wednesday near Yuma Drive and East Berry Street.
Fire investigators believe the fire was an accident, but an internal investigation is underway to determine any and all contributing factors.
Firefighters had been called the scene shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday on a possible commercial structure fire, but later determined that several railroad tanker cars had derailed and caught fire. The tanker cars contained ethanol.
No residents or firefighters were injured in the incident, but three horses were killed in a barn when fire spread from the derailed train, and the stable was destroyed. The cause of the derailment is under investigation.
Shortly after firefighters arrived, the department’s fire mobile command vehicle was deployed and during the setup, the communication mast made contact with the power lines, fire officials said Thursday in a news release.
Results of the internal investigation of the command vehicle fire could lead to possible revisions to policies, fire officials said.
This story was originally published April 25, 2019 at 2:49 PM with the headline "Power lines ignited blaze that destroyed $1.25 million fire dept. vehicle."
