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Crews respond to numerous vehicle fires

Jul 10, 2017 | 4:21 PM

At approximately 3:15 p.m., fire crews responded to a call of a vehicle on fire on the corner of 13 Street and 6 Avenue East.

According to Acting Captain Jay Zablocki, the owner of the vehicle was driving down the road when the truck erupted in flames. He pulled over on the street and called 911.

“We had a quick response but there was still lots of damage sustained,” Zablocki said.

It is believed the fire started under the hood of the truck. 

Cliff Moshento, who lives in an apartment on the street corner, said he saw black smoke billowing from the truck when he came outside to see what the commotion was. 

“I saw nothing but fire and smoke,” he said. “You couldn’t even see my truck [that was parked behind nearby].”

Soon after, Moshento said he heard a “kaboom” followed by more flames. He said a burned plastic and chemical smell lingered in the air.

Traffic was blocked and rerouted for some time. No one was injured in the incident.

Earlier Monday afternoon, fire crews also responded to a fully engulfed Dodge truck on the 800 block of Spencer Drive. 

According to the department, crews on scene staged and quickly extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the police compound for further investigation. 

 

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