HAZLE TWP., Pa. – A Good Samaritan was able to arouse a sleeping truck driver to get him out of his burning truck Wednesday morning. At 4:28 AM on Wednesday, May 23, Hazle Township Fire/Rescue and APTS Medic 11 were dispatched to the CanDo Expressway and Maplewood Drive near the Humboldt Industrial Park for a reported vehicle fire.
Chief 141 arrived on the scene to find a fully involved truck tractor attached to a trailer in the parking lot of Maplewood Plaza at 626 CanDo Expressway. Engine 3 pulled into the parking lot and stretched a bumper line to the fire. Tanker 6 arrived and fed the Engine while crews worked to extinguished the fire. Firefighters were able to bring the fire under control in less than 10 minutes.
According to Hazle Township Chief Scott Kostician, a passing truck driver noticed flames coming out from the driver’s side front wheel area and immediately pulled over and went up to the truck. The Good Samaritan began banging on the door of the truck and awoke the sleeping driver who was unaware of the fire. The driver was able to jump out of the truck to safety wearing only a pair of pants. No injuries were reported on the scene.
Rescue 141 and Pennsylvania State Police – Hazleton also assisted at the scene. Fire personnel were clear shortly after 5 AM.
