Driver escapes Elwood dump truck fire, officials say

An early morning fire heavily damaged a 10-wheel dump truck in Elwood Wednesday, but the driver managed to escape the cab without injuries, Suffolk County police and Huntington Town fire officials said.

The fire occurred at 5:45 a.m. on Park Avenue, just north of Jericho Turnpike.

Fire officials said the Huntington Manor Fire Department responded to the scene on the Elwood-Huntington Station border with three engines and 12 firefighters under the command of Chief Frank McQuade.

Officials said the driver, whose identity was not released, escaped the cab, having pulled the truck over when he realized there was a mechanical issue.

Park Avenue remained closed in both directions for several hours as the Town of Huntington Spill Response Team, assisted by a county sander, dealt with the subsequent fuel spill, police and fire officials said.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known, but photos from the scene showed the truck’s engine compartment and cab 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.”