Front-End Loader Truck Engulfed in Flames w/video

At 2 p.m. today Branford Fire Department responded to 191 North Ivy St., on a report of construction equipment on fire.

Upon arrival at Cherry Hill Construction's junk yard (Mannix/Cherry Hill junk yard), Branford Deputy Chief Tom Mahoney reported a large front-end loader was fully engulfed in flames. Engine 1 and Rescue 1 worked to extinguish the fire while Engine 7 was called for additional support (water). Mahoney reported that the blaze was put out in approximately 15 minutes. No one was injured.

Mahoney said the nature of the incident required firefighters to proceed with caution due to the danger of exploding pressure tanks, which were located in the vehicle's engine compartment. If the tanks were to explode, Mahoney explained that a possibility of shrapnel could be expelled and injure the firefighters; that did not happen.

In addition to contending with a dangerous vehicle fire, Mahoney said excessive mud due to recent rain produced an additional obstacle for firefighters.

The fire was started by a junk yard employee who was using a demolition torch to scrap the front-end loader. The vehicle ignited after the worker cut the fuel line and remaining diesel fuel spilled and came into contact with the red-hot metal causing a fire.

The Department of Environmental Protection was contacted because of the spilled fuel and remained on scene to supervise the clean up.