By Phil Drake
Independent Record
HELENA, Mont. — Two Helena firefighters were injured late Thursday when a front tire exploded on one of the burning lumber trucks they were trying to extinguish, officials said.
The Helena Fire Department responded about 10 p.m. to Builders FirstSource, 790 Nicole St., and crews discovered three semi-truck-sized, flatbed, lumber delivery vehicles and a forklift heavily engulfed in flames, Fire Chief Jon Campbell said.
He said the business and immediate area were not occupied at the time.
“During fire attack operations the front tire of one of the trucks exploded, injuring two firefighters,” Campbell said in an email.
Campbell said the two firefighters were transported to St. Peter’s Health emergency room by St Peter’s ambulance. They are in stable condition and have been released.
Off-duty personnel were called in to staff the fire stations, and the remaining crews extinguished the blaze without further incident, he said.
The cause of the fire, estimated to have created about $300,000 in damage, is under review by the Fire Prevention and Investigation Bureau.
The Helena Police Department also responded to the scene.
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