On Monday the 8th of august, Ladder 1 was dispatched for a car fire on Independence Blvd at the Charlotte Ave interchange. Crew arrived to find a early 90’s Ford F250 with heavy involvement in the engine compartment with moderate involvement in the cab. The Truck was attached to a 18 foot landscape trailer with mowers and gas cans on board. A 1-3/4 handline was stretched at the same time another was stretched for the exposure on the trailers. A quick check of the cab was made to ensure no one was inside. While the engine compartment was being suppressed the second line was used to cool the mowers and landscape trailer. Upon extinguishment of the fire crews began to overhaul the vehicle for hot spots. It was at this time that the crew found what appeared to be a 75 to 100 gallon propane tank under a work tool box in the bed. The tank had been rusted and matched the bed at first glance. The fire had gutted the interior of the cab and was only six inches from this tank. It was later determined that the truck was gasoline powered at one time but was converted to propane. Also a picture was taken of the tank if it assists with the description of the story
Along with checking for victims in a car fire, a thorough check on the vehicle should be made to ensure safety of the suppression crew at all times.
