Natalie Delgadillo
(Photo courtesy of D.C. Fire and EMS)
A food truck caught fire shortly after noon today near 3rd and E Street SW, just outside NASA’s headquarters.
There was only one occupant of the truck who managed to escape with minor injuries, according to D.C. Fire spokesperson Vito Maggiolo. The person was treated on the scene and declined transport to the hospital.
Update 300 block E St SW. Had 1 food truck fully involved. All fire knocked down. 1 occupant of truck being treated for minor injuries. pic.twitter.com/r4F6qaUlKj
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) July 3, 2018
Here’s a longer version of the video taken by one of my co-workers.
(Part Two) pic.twitter.com/WfXWyEIJhJ
— Jeremiah Stephan Dunleavy IV (@JerryDunleavy) July 3, 2018
The department received a call about the fire at exactly 12:02 p.m. When they arrived on scene, the truck was completely engulfed in flames. Firefighters were able to get the flames under control, but the truck was destroyed.
Maggiolo says it’s not immediately clear what the name of the food truck is, because the fire so badly charred it. The Rollin Pizza food truck, parked directly behind the one that caught fire, suffered some scorching and a cracked windshield, but firefighters were able to put the fire out before it suffered too much damage.
Quick work by #DCsBravest prevented the fire from spreading to this food truck parked directly behind the truck that was ablaze. It suffered minor damage. pic.twitter.com/oH5qT0wJ0K
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) July 3, 2018
D.C. Fire hasn’t yet determined what caused the fire. Investigators are currently on scene trying to figure that out, Maggiolo says.
Food truck fire 300 block E St SW under control. Occupant treated and released on scene. Investigators have begun their work to determine cause. Thanks to @ResidenceInn adjacent to fire for allowing us to rehydrate and cool our firefighters in their lobby. pic.twitter.com/OUWS9Xopfk
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) July 3, 2018
It’s not the first major fire involving a food truck. In 2016, three people were injured in Foggy Bottom when an improperly fueled generator caused a fire that engulfed a House of Falafel truck.
