Mulch Truck Catches Fire, Destroyed on Eames Street

A bark mulch truck was destroyed after it caught fire around noon on Thursday afternoon, with flames likely caused by a mechanical malfunction.

Wilmington Deputy Fire Chief Rick McClellan said there were no injuries during the incident, which lasted about 20 minutes.

The truck, which pumps bark mulch, was running in a small area of trees and grass while the operators were about 50 feet away. The workers did not notice that flames had caught up in the cab of the truck until someone from a neighboring business yelled to alert them.

McClellan said there was some concern that nearby grass and trees could catch fire as well, but the flames did not spread. Any concerns for more flames picking up after the truck fire was extinguished were put to rest when a heavy rain began soon after.

Several small brush fires have sparked up in recent days, but McClellan said there have not been major concerns about rapidly spreading brush fires yet this year, unlike years past.

According to workers on scene, a new truck similar to the one that was destroyed on Thursday would cost about $500,000 while a used truck would cost around $350,000.