Truck Catches Fire, Explodes On Horizon Drive In Tiverton [Video]

crews are cleaning up after a fiery scene on Horizon Drive, where a truck caught fire and triggered several explosions.

Tiverton Fire Chief Robert Lloyd said the call came in around noon about a Taylor Rental box truck on fire at 98 Horizon Drive. As of 12:45 p.m. the fire was out and crews on scene were cleaning up and assessing the situation. No one was injured.

Lloyd said they are currently investigating the cause of the fire. He said the small truck was loaded with tables and chairs. They labeled the emergency call a structural alarm because of its close proximity to the house, he said, and they needed three engines to battle the blaze.

“The radiant heat off the box truck could have easily caught the house,” Lloyd said.

He said there was one occupant in the house at the time of the fire, and that person was lead outside to the rear of the home to safety.

Lloyd said there were several explosions, and the truck’s fuel tank leaked, causing a flaming river of gasoline down Horizon Drive leading Mt. Hope Bay. Pieces of shrapnel could be seen on the driveway and street.

“It was a very dangerous situation,” Lloyd said.

The charred remains of the truck sit in the driveway.  

and town wastewater management crews were called on scene to block the sewer drains with sand bags, although Lloyd said fuel did flow into the drains and could reach the bay.

“We’re trying to stem that off as best we can,” he said.

An engine from the Fall River Fire Department assisted. Lloyd said Tiverton was short an engine on the north end of town because one of their trucks is currently replacing one at the Crandall Road station for repairs. However, crews were able to get to the scene quickly.