Brookhaven plow truck bursts into flames, town official says

A Town of Brookhaven crew had to evacuate the dump truck they were using to plow after it burst into flames Wednesday night in Coram.

The two drivers escaped unharmed, but town officials said the truck was destroyed.

The fire occurred near the intersection of Old Town Road and Hawkins Path at about 9:30 p.m.

Brookhaven spokeswoman Kristen D’Andrea said the two town employees, whose names were not disclosed, managed to evacuate the truck, which they were using to sand and plow roads Wednesday during the nor’easter that pounded Long Island.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Photos from the scene show the truck, its cab and frame engulfed in flames.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”