"Fire Engine Erupts in Flames While Rushing to Serious Crash, Filling Sky with Smoke"

A FIRE engine has burst into flames while en route to a road collision – with “explosions” being heard from the blazing inferno.

Emergency crews rushed to the burning vehicle on the A350 at Charlton Marshall in Dorset.

A fire engine has burst into flames while en route to a road crash on Wednesday Credit: BNPS Fire crews rushed to put out the inferno on the A350 at Charlton Marshall in Dorset Credit: UKNIP

Firefighters battled to put out the fire with three hose reel jets while the vehicle’s tyres and equipment on board exploded.

One local said: “I heard sirens and a screech of tyres outside and came out of my house to see thick black smoke.

“I could see one firefighter up the road running down towards me saying telling me to go inside as there were oxygen tanks on board and it was going to blow.

“There were then a series of loud explosions with the roof of the cab of the truck blowing off into the air and landing on the pavement.”

Explosions could be heard from the engine’s tyres and onboard equipment popping Credit: BNPS An investigation has been launched into the fire Credit: BNPS

Another resident added: “There were maybe three or four subsequent explosions and the electricity lines above the engine started to go up in flames too.

“About 20 minutes later, back up fire engines arrived and attempted to extinguish the fire.”

The crew from Blandford fire station was driving down the A-road in response to a traffic incident on June 24.

At 6.24pm, a fire erupted in the vehicle, with the driver able to stop safely.

Firefighters from Wimborne and Sturminster Newton were mobilised to the scene.

A pair of breathing apparatus wearers and multiple hose reel jets were used to put out the .

Locals said they could hear explosions from the fire, which were the vehicle’s tyres and cylinders onboard exploding.

The fire from the vehicle had destroyed the cab, with damage done to the nearby grass verge and telegraph cables.

Paramedics tended to the crew from the burning fire engine, with emergency personnel closing off the road.

An investigation into the incident has been launched to find out how the vehicle caught fire.

A Dorset and Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: “A crew from Blandford fire station was making an emergency response to a road traffic collision at 6.24pm last night (24 June) when a fire started in the fire engine while they were travelling on the A350 at Charlton Marshall.

“The crew was able to stop safely, and no-one was injured. Crews from Wimborne and Sturminster Newton were mobilised to deal with the fire, and two breathing apparatus wearers and three hose reel jets were used.

“Local residents would have heard explosions, which were the vehicle’s tyres and also cylinders on board, including breathing apparatus sets.

“An investigation into how the fire started is now underway.

“The stop came in at 8.22pm, the vehicle cab has been destroyed by fire and there was damage to the adjacent grass verge and telegraph cables.

“The firefighters involved have been checked over as a precaution by , with no issues.

“The road will remain closed for some time to allow for vehicle recovery; the carriageway may need repairs, so drivers should check their route before setting off in the morning.”