HARFORD, Pa. — Firefighters in Susquehanna County responded to a fire on I-81 South after an electrical failure ignited the cab of a Harford Volunteer Fire Company rescue engine.
The department stated on social media that while returning from an interstate crash, the rescue engine experienced an electrical issue that ignited a fire in the cab while the vehicle was moving.
| STAY INFORMED: Government shutdown: Tracking the firefighter impact
“Something went down behind the officer’s seat where the main electrical comes into the truck and shorted out the electrical system, and almost instantly, with that many batteries and everything going to it, we had sparks and flame almost immediately,” Chief Chad Batzel told WNEP.
The operator safely pulled to the shoulder and stopped. The driver and another firefighter attempted to salvage the equipment, but were only able to save a little. Less than three minutes elapsed from notifying dispatch of the fire to when the fire’s growth forced the crew to retreat.
WBNG reported that the department stated insurance will not be enough to cover the cost of a new truck and equipment.
