PTA Fire Truck Catches Fire on Saddle Road

The Pōhakuloa Training Area Fire Department is down a truck after one caught fire on Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road, this morning, July 14.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:27 a.m. PTA Fire Chief Eric Moller told Big Island Now there was a problem with the brakes while the apparatus was being driven to Hilo for a water pump test.

“The brakes seized and the friction from locking up caused the brak pumps to catch fire,” Moller explained.

The two PTA firefighters aboard the truck quickly extinguished the flames. No injuries were reported.

Moller said the truck is totaled.

“Thank God we have two other (fire) trucks,” Moller said. “We’re still operational.”

Hawai‘i Police Department issued an alert indicating one lane was closed in the area of mile marker 13 on Daniel K. Inouye Highway as a result of the vehicle fire. Moller said crews are working to tow the truck from the area.

Motorists should expect traffic congestion and delays as the Hilo-bound lane is anticipated to be closed for the next two hours.