Staff Writer
MAPLETON – A trip to daycare got a bit exciting for a Mapleton youth when the vehicle he and his father were riding in caught fire on the State Road Tuesday morning.
“I was taking my son, Cameron, to daycare when I noticed my truck was losing speed going up the hill. Something – a hose – must have given way and the next thing I knew my truck was on fire,” said Ron LeVasseur.
LeVasseur was traveling south at around 9:30 a.m. when the fire began. Firefighters from the Mapleton, Castle Hill, Chapman Fire Department were notified and responded to the scene.
“We were contacted around 9:30 a.m. about a vehicle fire on the State Road. Upon arrival, we found a pick-up truck on fire. It appears to have started around the engine compartment, before spreading to the dash and interior of the truck,” said Geoffrey Skidgell, of the MCHCFD. “It might have been caused by a leak in the fuel line. The owner said he heard a noise prior to the truck catching fire.”
According to Skidgell, the 2000 Dodge was heavily damaged by the blaze and would most likely be considered a total loss. The vehicle was insured.
“The owner and his son were lucky. The little boy’s eyes got big when we lifted him into the fire truck,” said Skidgell.
LeVasseur was grateful no one was hurt.
“I was able to get the vehicle pulled over and stopped. My son and I got out safely. That’s all that matters,” said LeVasseur, noting his plans were to make a trip later in the day to Portland, but he didn’t indicate if he’d planned to take his pickup or some other mode of transportation.
Traffic was delayed briefly as firefighters strung hoses from a tanker to the pickup to put out the fire. T.A. Service was called to transport the truck from the scene.
Maine State Police also assisted at the scene.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
A TRUCK FIRE Tuesday morning on the State Road was quickly brought under control by firefighters with the Mapleton, Castle Hill, Chapman Fire Department. Ron LeVasseur, of Mapleton, was on his way to drop his son, Cameron, off at daycare when his truck lost power going up a hill, then caught on fire. The two escaped without injury. Traffic was delayed only briefly as firefighters put out the fire.
