Merrimack firefighters make quick work of vehicle blaze
MERRIMACK – A dump truck driver hauling an excavator through Merrimack had to call firefighters when the rig he was driving caught fire Tuesday.
Merrimack firefighters were called about 9:38 a.m. to the intersection of Webb Drive and the Daniel Webster Highway and found a 2004 Ford F-350 in flames.
Merrimack Fire Rescue Department Fire Marshal John Manuele said the driver “smelled smoke and thought it was from the car in front of him. All of the suede the cab filled with smoke.”
The driver then pulled the truck over, got out and noticed flames under the truck’s engine.
“The whole truck was in flames when we got there,” Manuele said. The driver, working for Abundant Mechanical LLC, of Pembroke, was not injured in the incident.
Smoke began billowing from under the hood, which crews say forced them to open the hood and doors to completely extinguish the engine.
Firefighters have determined the cause of the fire was a malfunctioning engine and deemed it accidental. The scene was cleared within an hour.
Don Himsel can be reached at 594-1249, dhimsel@nashuatelegraph.com or @Telegraph_DonH.