INL spokeswoman Misty Benjamin told EastIdahoNews.com the ambulance was following the fire engine when the fire engine suddenly stopped to avoid hitting an animal crossing the road. That’s when the ambulance rear-ended the fire engine, according to Benjamin.

The fire and ambulance crews were not responding to an emergency when the accident happened, Benjamin said, but two of the firefighters were hurt and taken to the hospital.

The new truck was part of a package deal voters approved in April 2012. The city took out a 20-year, $5.3 million bond to build a new fire station and to buy the ladder truck.

Grandview’s ladder truck was on-scene for 24 hours during the incident.

Markham said then the city could use a ladder truck for similar fires and to help with potential disasters in the taller buildings, including the new two-story addition at the high school.

The renovated fire station was built with a ladder truck in mind, including higher ceilings and doors.

Now, the truck itself has been built and needs only a few items to be corrected before it starts its journey to Washington state.

The Dodge Journey was struck on the passenger side. The front passenger side door was caved in, and the airbags deployed.

Both vehicles were towed from the scene, Blemaster said. He doesn’t have any damage totals and that the crash is still being investigated.