Dump Truck Fire Spreads Into Storm Drain At Hillsborough Industrial Park

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A dump truck fire at an industrial park in Hillsborough spread into storm drain piping on Wednesday.

At around 12:30 p.m., firefighters were called to an industrial park on Roycefield Road in Hillsborough for a dump truck fire.

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Firefighters found "a well-involved truck near the building and with burning fuel in the storm drains," according to Flagtown Fire/Rescue - Hillsborough Volunteer Fire Co. #1.

The fire was quickly knocked down by crews using two handlines and several 20-pound dry chemical fire extinguishers.

The nearby building had minor heat damage.

Firefighters then faced a longer fight below ground. A "remaining fire underground" made the situation more complicated, and plastic storm drain piping continued to burn for well over an hour until crews found a way to get water into the pipe, said the fire department.

Specialty nozzles, including a cellar nozzle and a piercing nozzle, were used to try and extinguish the underground fire, but crews could not get water far enough down the pipe, said the department.

Firefighters then positioned a portable monitor in the storm drain and aimed it into the pipe, which finally extinguished the fire.

The significant fuel spill was handled by the HAZMAT team.

Interested in volunteering or becoming a firefighter? Visit flagtownfd.com or email JoinUs@flagtownfd.com.

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