HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977 01-12 Paramedic van explodes THE REVIEW Paramedicn ' xl van 'explodes'
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by Anne Skinner off the ignition as the smoke grew thicker. Mayor Robert Bruton declared an
The officer radioed the Gladstone Fire emergency and authorized the police
It happened in less than three minutes. Department and tried to remove some of chief to enter into negotiations with the
A Maplewood policeman was on his way the equipment but found it too hot to city's insurance company.Schaller noted
to the Gladstone Community Education touch. he has located a van which is one year
Center, just blocks away from the "Reports" state that .38 caliber shells newer than the destroyed vehicle which
Maplewood Police Department at 1380 stored in the van's glove compartment would cost only $100 more than the
Frost Ave., when he began to smell began to fire and the policeman ran. original van's price. He said the cost of
something burning in the paramedic van Within seconds, the van was engulfed in the van would be$7,950 and the cost of its
he was driving. flames. It was probably the oxygen tank conversion and equipment is estimated at
Then, he noticed a slight amount of in the back which created the ensuing $4,950.
smoke. He pulled off the road and turned explosion through the roof, officials
believe. NO ONE WAS injured in the accident.
Schaller was directed to replace the van
THE VAN WAS destroyed in a matter of as soon as possible.
minutes, leaving the Maplewood Police
Department without one-third of its
paramedic equipment.
Police Chief Dick Schaller said an
electrical short is suspected to be the
fire's cause.Schaller appeared before the
Maplewood City Council Dec. 30 to ex-
plain the accident which occurred on Dec.
21 at 10:21 a.m. He said the van and its
equipment was essentially destroyed.