By Cameron Probert
Tri-City Herald
RICHLAND, Wash. — A new Richland fire vehicle’s engine blew up, destroying the brush truck and sparking a blaze along Interstate 82 on Monday afternoon.
The city purchased the vehicle about a month and a half ago, Battalion Chief Ron Duncan said. Before the fire department started using it, a firefighter drove it to a Dodge dealership in Hermiston for service.
Problems started at about 5 p.m on his return trip, when the motor blew up, Duncan said. The truck lost power and brakes before the firefighter pulled to the side of the interstate near milepost 116, a couple miles east of Finley.
The firefighter, who was traveling at normal highway speeds, did an amazing job stopping the truck, Duncan said.
Flames from the engine compartment traveled to the field along the right side of the road. Wind pushed the fire into the median as well.
In total about 15 acres of grass and brush burned before firefighters from Benton County fire districts 1, 2 and 4 extinguished it.
Tri-Cities Prep Coach Dan Whitsett caught the burning vehicle on film as he passed. The clip shows smoke filling the air and flames coming from the engine compartment.
Westbound traffic was stopped for roughly an hour because of the smoke.
The firefighter was not hurt, and no other property was damaged, Duncan said.
The city bought the Skeeter Brush Truck for about $215,000 to help firefighters extinguish wildland fires.
The Texas-based company has sold vehicles to fire departments in California, Oregon and Washington, according to its website.
The cause of the vehicle’s engine trouble is under investigation. Company officials are on their way to the city Wednesday, Duncan said, and the truck is fully insured.
https://twitter.com/CoachWhitsett/status/882032402201141248/video/1
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