Fire Department

Two people were taken to UW Hospital following a fire that ignited in the back of a cargo truck. 

Firefighters responded to the site of a new construction project on Commerce Drive after workers there peered out the window and saw dark black smoke coming from their truck as they worked on a project upstairs.

Construction workers flagged down Engine Company 12 and pointed them toward the commercial truck, where dark black smoke wafted out the rear cargo door. It did not pose a threat to the nearby construction project. Firefighters stretched a bumper line and prepared a water can extinguisher, achieving initial knockdown within three minutes of their arrival. Engine 12 went on to cool any remaining hot spots to ensure the fire was completely out.

One worker was in close proximity to the fire when it ignited and suffered burns. He was taken the hospital by Medic 7 immediately upon their arrival to the scene. A second worker, who had initially attempted to put out the fire with an extinguisher, suffered smoke inhalation and was also taken to the hospital by Medic 2.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.