TODDVILLE, IA - Monroe Township Fire Department was dispatched to the intersection of Tower Terrace Road and Feather Ridge Road for a county truck on fire. Engine 224 and tanker 220 responded with 4 personnel to the dispatched location. During the response a large column of black smoke could be seen for miles. Responding crews were met on scene by one additional volunteer firefighter.
Upon arrival crews found a county street cleaner heavily involved with fire. A hand line with foam was pulled and placed into service. An aggressive attack was mounted but the bulk of the fire was difficult to reach due to the construction of the street cleaner. Once access was obtained, the main body of the fire was handled with two 1 1/2" hand lines within approximately 10 minutes.
Due to the difficulty of reaching the fire an additional tanker was requested from Hiawatha Fire. Once an extensive overhaul was completed it was determined the street cleaner was a total loss, with a possible ignition source of a ruptured hydraulic line that was ignited by the rear braking system.
No injuries were reported from the incident by civilians or fire personnel.
