NEWS

Fire truck crashes on way to Kent barn fire

The News Journal

A Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company truck was involved in an accident on its way to a Sunday morning fire that destroyed a barn near Dover.

The blaze was reported shortly after 4 a.m. in the 1800 block of East Dennys Road at a nearly 6,000-square-foot building, Assistant State Fire Marshal Michael G. Chionchio said.

The crash happened at about 4:30 a.m. John B. Burkett, 72, of Dover, was driving a 2000 International Fire Truck southbound on East Dennys Road near Simms Woods Road. The engine truck, which was on its way to the fire, was slowly passing another fire truck when the left side drove off the pavement and onto the soft shoulder and the truck overturned, Master Cpl. Gary E. Fournier said.

Burkett was taken to Kent General Hospital, where he was examined and was released with no injuries, Fournier said. He said four firefighters on board the truck were not injured.

Chionchio said the Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company arrived on the scene with flames engulfing the unoccupied building. Deputy fire marshals were called to the scene and began investigating the fire's origin and cause, Chionchio said. He said investigators are searching through the remains of the building, which was being used to support the landowner's farming operations.

Chionchio said heavy damage was estimated at $200,000.

No injuries were reported, he said.

Fournier said the roadway was closed for about two hours while the crash was investigated and cleared.

He said no charges are expected.