North Judson-Wayne Township Fire Chief Joe Leszek is expressing relief that Sunday’s fire truck accident wasn’t much worse. A tanker truck was responding to a house fire near County Roads 500 South and 650 West, when Leszek says a combination of ice and traffic conditions caused it to slip off the roadway and roll over at about 15 miles per hour.
“Luckily, the most important thing was no firefighters were hurt,” he told the town council Monday. “That happens at a higher speed, we’re sitting here talking about a fatality, instead of two guys that were able to walk out of it.” Leszek added that the two firefighters then proceeded to walk up to the structure and help fight the fire for the next three hours.
He said a heavy wrecker had to be called to remove the tanker. The insurance company has been contacted, that the department is now in the process of getting estimates. Leszek also thanked North Judson Police Officer Rico Simpson for responding to the scene to make sure firefighters were okay.
The cause of the fire itself remains undetermined. Leszek said the homeowner’s insurance company was scheduled to start its investigation today.
