Zion National Park firetruck burns up in garage

ZION NATIONAL PARK — A small firetruck was destroyed when it caught fire while secured in the Zion National Park Emergency Operations Center on Wednesday.

Emergency crew members noticed the fire around 6 p.m. when they smelled smoke in the building, and a ranger looking through the bay windows spotted that the truck’s cab was on fire.

Jeff Axel, spokesman for the park, said the damaged truck is valued at $130,000 and is less than a year old. No one was injured, and the cause of the fire is unknown.

Firefighters gather outside the bay where a fire broke out in the cab of a small firetruck, severely damaging it on Wednesday, July 8, 2020. No one was injured and the building suffered minor damage.

National Park Service

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A fire burned the cab of a small firetruck at the Zion National Park Emergency Operations Center on Wednesday, July 8, 2020. No one was injured and the building suffered minor damage.

National Park Service

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The fire triggered the building’s fire suppression system, which helped protect the other vehicles from the flames while rangers worked to put the fire out using a second truck. Firefighters from Hurricane also showed up to assist, and the remaining vehicles were moved to safety.

“Damage to the building is minimal due to the fast reaction of the rangers and the building’s fire suppression system,” Axel said. “Foul play is not suspected at this time. ... The truck will be examined by an investigator tomorrow to determine the cause of the fire.”