Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services (MCFRS) were called to the scene of a United States Postal Service (USPS) mail delivery truck on fire in the rear of a house on the 14200 block of Seneca Rd in Darnestown at approximately 12:30pm on Thursday afternoon. The fire was quickly extinguished in the 90+ degree heat with a heat index of almost 100 degrees, according to MCFRS Chief Spokesperson Pete Piringer.
The driver indicated that there was a mechanical issue as smoke and flames started to come from the engine when it was started, eventually combusting. There was no extension to the nearby home, but there was over $30K in damages incurred (vehicle total loss) in addition to a lost load of U.S. Mail. The driver, though not injured, was transported to a hospital due to anxiety from the fire.
Update – 14200blk Seneca Road, Darnestown, vehicle fire extinguished, Driver indicated mechanical issues (started engine & started smoke & flames), gas combustion engine, @MCFRS_EMIHS evaluating Driver, no serious injury, if any at all, no extension to nearby structure https://t.co/s5R4YZNBah pic.twitter.com/RcyLuHYcja
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) July 21, 2022