The Danville Fire Department was dispatched to the Danville Expressway over the Dan River for a vehicle fire at 10:46 am. Engine companies were returning from another call off Halifax Road and arrived on the scene in 1 minute and 29 seconds. E2 found a pick up heavily involved in fire. The two occupants were out of the vehicle and had been burned. The engine companies began treating the burn victims as well as extinguishing the fire. The Danville Life Saving Crew arrived quickly and transported both victims to DRMC with serious burn injuries.
The Fire Marshal's Office investigated and found the cause to be a failure in the fuel system on the truck. This was confirmed by the occupants as well as witnesses to the fire. The vehicle was traveling southbound on the Expressway when the fire started. After slowing the vehicle, the occupants jumped onto the roadway. The truck continued for another one hundred feet before coming to a rest in a traffic lane. There were no other vehicles involved.
The DFD and DPD remained on scene for approximately 45 minutes. Southbound traffic was shut down for 15 minutes. One lane reopened until all emergency responders cleared the scene.
Brian K. Alderson
Battalion Chief