News

Rockport: Residents awake to car engulfed in flames

By Jonathan L'Ecuyer
Staff writer
Published: July 5, 2008

ROCKPORT — It wasn't a happy Fourth of July for Brian and Linda Landry whose Ford Expedition truck — parked in the driveway of the family's McKay's Drive home — was destroyed by fire yesterday morning.

The fire, which is not considered suspicious, is believed to have been electrical in origin starting either near the dash board or in the engine compartment around the battery.

There were no injuries, but the truck was totaled in the blaze.

Initially, only the squad vehicle was deployed, "but once we saw the volume of smoke (while traveling on) Railroad Avenue, we called all six pieces," said Fire Chief Russell Anderson, yesterday.

"(The truck) was fully involved from the driver's section to the front of the car," Anderson said. "There was a tremendous amount of smoke, the windshield was out and fire was coming out the front windows."

Roughly 25 firefighters responded to the scene. They were able to extinguish the flames in about five minutes, Anderson said.

According to Rockport Police Sgt. Timothy Frithsen, police received a 911 call from the Landrys at 7:22 a.m. McKay's Drive was closed for nearly a half hour while crews battled the blaze, which engulfed the truck parked just 10 feet away from the Landry's home.

"Our next door neighbor rang our bell and woke us up," said truck owner, Brian Landry, yesterday. "The vehicle is totaled; we're not touching anything and calling the insurance. Thank God for insurance."

Landry was unable to contact his insurance company yesterday, but was able to schedule a rental car.

"We'll get the car and life will go on," he said.

Landry said he had not observed any problems with the vehicle that would indicate possible fire danger.

The vehicle hadn't been used by the Landry's since 8 p.m. Thursday.

The scorched remains of the truck will stay in the Landry's driveway until an insurance agent can inspect the damage, Landry said.

In addition to the truck, evidence of intense flames could also be seen in the area surrounding the vehicle. The blaze left limbs of a front yard tree seared and a group of "nice plants" in the couple's garden were singed.

Anderson said the department's response was perfect, adding, "it went the way it should have in the event of a car fire."

The blaze was the Fire Department's third call of what was a busy holiday morning.

Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.