A new Richland fire truck's engine blew up destroying the truck and sparking a fire along Interstate 82 Monday afternoon. The city purchased the truck about a month and a half ago, Battalion Chief Ron Duncan said. Before the fire department started using it, a firefighter drove it to a Dodge dealership in Hermiston for service.
Problems started at about 5 p.m on his return trip, when the motor blew up, Duncan said. The truck lost power and brakes before the firefighter pulled to the side of the interstate near milepost 116, a couple miles east of Finley.
The firefighter, who was traveling at normal highway speeds, did an amazing job stopping the truck, Duncan said.
Flames from the engine compartment traveled to the field along the right side of the road. Wind pushed the fire into the median as well.