RALEIGH – Six Forks Road was shut down early Thursday afternoon, December 29th, when a Wake County EMS unit caught fire at its station at 5305 Six Forks Road. The paramedic ambulance had just returned from a call a couple minutes earlier. The two Wake County EMS members found their 2010 Chevrolet McCoy-Miller ambulance in flames after hearing noises coming from the apparatus bay. They evacuated their one-story, two-bay building safely.
Engine 9 was the first fire unit on scene and found the engine compartment fully-involved and the bay ceiling also burning. They caught their own hydrant across the street. Engine 4 was second due, and assisted with the water supply. Within minutes, four engines, two ladders, and Battalion 1 were on scene. Other EMS resources and EMS command staff were soon on scene as well. The fire was quickly contained, though extensive overhaul was required on the roof.
The call was dispatched at 12:42 p.m. and the fire was marked under control at 12:58 p.m. Six Forks Road was closed in both directions for over an hour. Fire investigators determined the origin of the fire as the engine compartment of the ambulance, caused by unspecified mechanical problem. EMS personnel removed computers, supplies, and other materials from the living area of the station. The facility is closed, though EMS 3 was soon back in service with a spare unit. Both it and the second unit assigned to the station have been relocated to alternate locations.
The loss of the ambulance and its contents are estimated at over $200,000. The damage to the structure has not been estimated yet. The 1962 building formerly served as the Six Forks Fire Department fire station. It was opened as an EMS station in 1976. The structure has already been secured and sealed, until further repairs are made.
Additional photos from Mike Legeros.
PRIMARY AGENCY: Raleigh Fire Department
INCIDENT TYPE: Working Fire
888-620-3473 Toll Free
Recent Comments