Truck Fire Threatens Trailer Park

Mid-Town – March 31, 2000 --- A fire that consumed a pick-up truck parked just outside of a carport threatened a mobile home in the Triton Valley Trailer Park in Derby.

Evans Center Firefighters had just returned to service after cleaning up from a deadly accident on Route 20 when they were alerted to a fire near a trailer around 9:45pm.

With crews still at their Erie Road fire station, Evans Center Engines 1 and 2 responded immediately along with Rescue 7 and the fire chiefs. Chief Allen confirmed a working vehicle fire next to the trailer and radioed Engine 1’s crew to be “ready to work.”

Engine 1 responded down Creekside while Engine 2 and Rescue 7 approached from the opposite direction down Brookside Drive in the event a nearby hydrant must be tapped.

An attack team consisting of Captains Bruce Green Jr. and Tiger Schmittendorf, Firefighters Bob Braeges and Mike Hontz, and Firefighter Explorer Justin Simpson flaked out a pre-connected hose line from the curb side of the engine and quickly knocked down the fire. Asst. Chief John Latimore acted as the Engine 1 chauffeur and operated the pump panel.

The crews from Engine 2 and Rescue 7 assisted in overhauling the heavily damaged remains of the truck while Capt. Ken Hontz completed the incident report. A textbook play by the Evans Center team prevented the fast advancing fire from extending damage to the carport or trailer.