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Fire engulfs car, shipping container
Thick, black smoke billows from the burning shipping container at the old dumpsite in Puerto Rico yesterday at noon. A worker cutting the container using an acetylene torch triggered the fire, according to arson investigators. (DEREK GERSONDE)
No one was reported injured in the two incidents, according to Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services spokesman Derek Gersonde.
DFEMS received a call about a vehicle on fire in front of Mount Carmel at 11:22am.
Gersonde said firefighters and arson investigators from Susupe Fire Station responded and placed the blaze under control at 11:33am.
Gersonde said arson investigators determined that mechanical failure caused the fire.
“The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Updates will be released when they are available,” he said.
No information was provided as to the owner of the car.
In the Puerto Rico fire, Gersonde said DFEMS received a call about a shipping container that was on fire at 12:15pm.
Gersonde said firefighters and arson investigators from Garapan and Susupe fire stations responded and place the fire under control at 12:23pm.
Arson investigators determined that the fire broke out after a worker was cutting the container using an acetylene torch.
The heat transferred from the container and ignited the combustible insulation of the container.
“The cause of the fire is accidental, therefore this case is closed by DFEMS,” Gersonde said.
