4 Firefighters, 1 Civilian Hurt In Philadelphia Fire Truck Crash
Photo Credit: Nate O. / Priority News Network
While responding to an emergency call, four Philadelphia firefighters and one civilian were injured when a fire truck collided with a car and building Thursday afternoon.
Philadelphia Fire Department Engine 29 was responding to a call with lights and sirens Thursday afternoon when witnesses say a black Toyota drove across an intersection. The fire truck attempted to swerve from hitting the car, but was not able to in time. The fire truck collided with a woman in a car, bounced off of a nearby median, hit a parked truck, then crashed directly into the building near the corner of 7th Street and Girard Avenue.
Photo Credit: Nate O. / Priority News Network
At least one family lives the building that was affected. The driver of the car that was struck by the fire truck only sustained non-life threatening injuries according to Assistant Fire Chief Charles Walker of the Philadelphia Fire Department. Walker also went on to say that the entire structure may be structurally compromised as a result.
On Thursday night, a towing and recovery company with a heavy duty wrecker arrived at the scene to begin the slow process of carefully removing the fire truck from the building. Officials had to remove the fire truck “inch by inch” to ensure no further structural damage to the building in fear of a collapse.
Of the four firefighters in the truck, two had to be removed by other emergency services.
The investigation is currently ongoing by officials in Philadelphia.