TOPEKA (KSNT) – A firefighter suffered injuries following a fire in central Topeka Tuesday afternoon.
Topeka Fire Department Division Chief Ty Forshee announced in a press release that fire crews were called around 4:50 p.m. on March 24 to the parking lot of Topeka Bible Church at 1135 SW College Ave. regarding a large amount of black smoke in the area. Firefighters arriving at the scene found a large amount of roofing materials and a loader on fire.
Forshee said that materials involved in the fire primarily consisted of polystyrene foam being used for a nearby roofing project at the church. The vehicle involved in the fire was a piece of construction equipment known as a telehandler.
(Photo By: Isabella Cahill)
Firefighters worked to douse the flames but were hindered by diesel fuel leaking from the burning loader that was also flowing into the curbed area of a nearby street. Fire crews used dirt to help put out the fire and prevent contamination in nearby storm drains.
Forshee said one firefighter suffered minor injuries and received treatment at the scene. An investigation into the fire is currently underway.
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