The call came in shortly after 10 p.m. near a self-storage facility on the 500 block of Wambold Road
Showcasing the necessary tools needed to successfully knock down a fire, firefighters used a chainsaw to cut into a modified pickup truck late Thursday night to extinguish a vehicle fire in Towamencin Township.
Emergency crews were dispatched around 10:12 p.m. to the 500 block of Wambold Road, near the self-storage facility between Schoolhouse and Fretz roads, for a reported dump truck fire. Units arrived on scene about 10 minutes later and found a white pickup truck outfitted with a makeshift wooden dump body burning.
Because the wooden enclosure extended over the passenger cab, firefighters used a chainsaw to cut into the structure to release built-up heat and reach the seat of the fire, according to a video. Crews were able to vent the compartment and bring the blaze under control, according to video posted by Towamencin Fire Co.
(Credit: Towamencin Fire Co.)
(Credit: Towamencin Fire Co.)Towamencin Fire Co. Assistant Chief Dean Miller said the crew cab pickup had a modified dump body enclosed with wood, possibly used to haul wood chips. The driver, who escaped uninjured, was towing a trailer of tools from Delaware and was nearly home, Miller said.
"He said the truck had been acting up throughout the day," Miller said. "When he was coming across Wambold, he noticed flames coming from the vents inside the dash. He pulled over and jumped out."
Miller said above the passenger cab, there was an enclosed portion of the dump body.
"It was all wood to frame it out, and it was charred with hot embers inside. They tried to pull it apart. It was coated with ice and connected together - it was easier to cut it," he said.
Towamencin Fire laid four service lines to extinguish the fire.
Towamencin Police arranged towing of the truck off Wambold Road.
Miller said the cause is unknown, but possibly mechanical. The entire dash and engine were destroyed, he said.
No injuries were reported.
