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Truck catches fire in front of courthouse in Salem

By Tom Dalton
Staff writer
Published: April 23, 2008

SALEM — A truck burst into flames yesterday morning as it was driven past District Court.

The three occupants piled out near the intersection of Washington and Federal streets around 8:30 a.m. as the 1989 Ford pickup began to fill with smoke, police said. Moments later, flames erupted on the driver's side of the vehicle, which had to be abandoned in the middle of the road.

There were no injuries reported.

The driver "said smoke just started coming out from under the dashboard," said fire Lt. William Bresnahan Jr., who responded with a crew from Engine 2. The fire spread from the truck cabin to a rear truck bed filled with leaves. Firefighters doused the vehicle with water, while police blocked rush-hour traffic on Washington Street.

The truck, which was towed from the scene, had an attached trailer and looked as though it was used for landscaping, officials said. Police identified the owner as Preston Ferraro, 43, of Mason Street.

Photos

None/Courtesy photo

A truck fire broke out on Washington Street in Salem, right in front of the District Courthouse at approximately 8:40 a.m. Greg Nowak, who works across the street, took this photo of the incident.