STE. GENEVIEVE – The Ste. Genevieve Fire Department was called out about 6:41 p.m. Sunday evening by a report of vehicle fire in the 400 block of Fourth Street. Bursting tires apparently prompted several 911 calls concerning possible explosions.
The first officer arrived on scene at 6:45 to find a full-size pickup with heavy fire under the hood and extending into the cab.
Fire Chief Ken Steiger said 911 calls from the neighborhood continued to be received by dispatch which led to an ambulance being dispatched and an additional call for a structure fire. But he said both calls were unfounded.
The fire was brought under control in 10 minutes from arrival of the first officer.
The truck sustained heavy damage under the hood and the interior. The utility bed, tools and 50-gallon auxiliary diesel tank in the bed were not damaged. The cause of the fire was undetermined but believed to be electrical in nature.
Chief Steiger said this was one of five calls the department responded to in 72 hours.