WASHINGTON CITY — A truck burst into flames Monday in the backyard of a Washington City residence as the owner of the vehicle went to drive it.
At approximately 11:50 a.m., firefighters responded to a report of a vehicle fire at a residence on the 300 East block of Telegraph Street, Washington City Fire Chief Matt Evans said.
“Apparently, the owner had just started the truck up,” Evans said, “and was just going to run it down the street to the store to drop some stuff off when he noticed some flames from the engine compartment.”
With help from some neighbors, the owner was able to roll the burning truck into a dirt area in the yard where fire crews found it when they arrived on scene, Evans said.
“We had some neighbors that, from a good safe distance, were using some garden hoses on it, and so they were able to keep it in check,” Evans said. “They weren’t able to put the fire out without getting up and opening it, but it kept it in check.”
Initially, the fire was contained to the engine compartment of the truck, Evans said, but flames quickly spread into the passenger compartment as well.
Once firefighters arrived, they had the flames knocked out within minutes.
The neighbors and owner of the truck were unharmed during the ordeal, and no injuries were reported as a result of the fire, Evans said. However, the same can’t be said for the truck.
“I’m sure the vehicle will be a total loss,” Evans said. “Once they burn, once they get going, there’s not much left to them. They burn up pretty quick.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Both eastbound travel lanes on a portion of Telegraph Street were closed for a time as crews tended to the scene.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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Could have been Mt. St. Helens erupting….just wondering. Glad no one was hurt.