Baltimore City's Back Up Heavy Rescue Squad Damaged By Fire On I-95

An important and unique piece of Baltimore City Fire Department apparatus caught fire on I-95 Southbound at Caton Avenue in Baltimore City during Friday morning's rush hour.

Reserve Rescue 1 was responding to a traffic accident when firefighters inside the truck spotted flames coming from under the seats.

The truck pulled to the right shoulder and stopped.

All of the firefighters on board were able to evacuate the vehicle safely and without injury.

All but one lane of I-95 Southbound at Caton Avenue was closed while the fire was extinguished and investigated.

The truck that burned on I-95 this morning is the 17-year-old reserve unit that backs up Rescue 1, which is the only heavy rescue squad in Baltimore City.

Rescue 1 has specialized equipment used for extrications at traffic accidents. It is also dispatched to every elevator rescue in the city.

Fire department sources say that the front line rescue squad is in the shop for scheduled maintenance.

It’s unclear when it will return to service.

That means that Baltimore City is without the services of a heavy rescue vehicle

Reserve Rescue 1 sustained substantial damage as a result of the fire.

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