The crew at the Manomet fire station had just returned a little before midnight when the station bells started going off. Firefighters quickly discovered that a battery had short-circuited inside the fire engine, filling the garage with heavy smoke.

To prevent the flames from spreading,  firefighter Trevor Nadile said he opened the garage door and jumped inside the burning truck, holding his breath due to all the smoke.  

“I didn’t even know if it was going to start, so I gave it shot, and it started right away,” he said

According to West Hills Deputy Chief Bill Cornell, the truck was on a routine run and was coming to the top of Station Street when it apparently blew the engine.  

No injuries were reported at the scene.

Part of Station Street and Harlan Avenue below Ferndale High School were closed until crews could put out the fire and clear the scene.

"The Norristown community is deserving of quality and reliable vehicles and equipment," Council President Sonya Sanders said in a statement. "The firetruck purchase confirms Council's commitment to put the safety and the needs of our residents at the forefront."  

The truck was purchased using funds from the municipality's $10 million capital improvement plan, the first in Norristown history, which was launched in 2017.

The city’s employees and citizens deserve good equipment that is ready to go when needed, Cedar Falls Mayor Jim Brown said.

The new truck should be ready for action in a few weeks after hoses and other equipment is installed.

 

Come summer, the fire truck will be housed in the new Public Safety Building, which city officials estimate will open on July 1.