Truck Fire on Collinwood Tuesday Night

A pickup truck that caught fire on Collinwood last night was "really rolling" by the time Maplewood firefighters arrived on scene, but it could have been much worse according to the MFD.

Maplewood Fire Department Captain Joseph Callaghan says that a gasoline can was in the back seat of the contractor's truck, parked on Collinwood.

"The pickup truck was basically a total loss," said Callaghan, who cautioned witnesses never to approach these vehicles when they are burning. With the gasoline can in the back seat, the situation "could have been bad."

Callaghan said that the tree above the truck was close to catching fire when Tower Ladder 31, Engine 33 and Engine 32 arrived on scene, but the firefighters quickly knocked down the blaze.

No word yet on what started the fire.