Burning Tree Seriously Damages IN Apparatus During Wildfire

An Indiana fire apparatus sustained significant damage when it was struck by a burning tree during a wildfire Wednesday.

Pleasant Run firefighters were part of a mutal aid response just before 2 p.m. that was helping the Marshall Township Volunteer Fire Department with a wildfire in Heltonville, WBIW-TV reports. A tree that had caught fire needed to be cut down during the call, but the tree unexpectedly fell in the wrong direction and landed on the Pleasant Run Volunteer Fire Department's brush truck, Chief Chad Hillenburg stated in an online post.

Photos of the incident showed that the tree seriously dented the vehicle's roof, as well as caused the windshield to crack and fracture.

“Although the apparatus suffered significant damages personnel on the scene were not injured," Hillenburg wrote. "We were thankful no one was injured."

Crews from the Oolitic Fire Department also helped contain the wildfire, which burned as a thunderstorm moved through the area, according to WBIW.