Washington residents return home to truck on fire

Firefighters Cole Furley and Joseph Bryan responding to an engine fire in the area of 145 W 200 S., Washington, Utah, April 27, 2013 | Photo by Jason Little, St. George News

WASHINGTON CITY – Residents in the area of 145 West 200 South in Washington returned home just before 6 p.m. today to find their truck on fire in their garage.

“The resident there put a battery charger on that truck,” Washington City Fire Chief Brent Hafen said, “and they left for awhile to do a few errands.”

When they returned, the truck had ignited in the engine compartment, Hafen said, and they tried to put it out then called for help.

Washington City police Officer Josh Finona and Officer Barton arrived first. Hafen said the officers had a fire extinguisher and were able to get most of the flames out so that when the fire crew arrived, including himself and firefighters Cole Furley and John Bryan, they were able to cut the hood and get to the engine and get the fire out quickly.

The truck was parked inside a wooden barn-like garage separate from the house; but the fire was contained to the truck which Hafen said was a total loss with both the engine compartment and motor being destroyed by the fire.

“In my 20 years experience in St. George,” the chief said, “I’ve never seen a battery charger ignite a vehicle on fire.”

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