On Monday, October 26th, 2020, shortly after 2:10 pm, the Turlock Fire Department received a call of a vehicle fire in the secondary parking lot of Donnelly Park located at 600 Pedras Rd. Engine 34 was dispatched. The caller, who was with Turlock Scavenger, reported that the contents of his truck had caught fire and that he was releasing them into the parking lot. Another Turlock Scavenger employee who was in the area heard his partner calling for help, so he responded as well and attempted to extinguish the fire with his fire extinguisher, however, was unsuccessful. Chief 3 was also in the area and decided to respond.

Engine 34 arrived on scene at approximately 2:15 pm to locate the contents of a Turlock Scavenger truck dumped in the parking lot fully engulfed with flames. Captain 34 assumed command and had his firefighter begin attack on the fire with their front bucket line. The fire was quickly brought under control and then fully extinguished shortly thereafter.

During the attack, supply lines were laid down in the middle of Donnelly Park Dr at De Pauw Dr to access a fire hydrant. The Turlock Police Department was then requested to respond to provide traffic control so their hose line isn’t ran over. Once the fire was out, police and fire units cleared the scene. Turlock Scavenger personnel remained on scene to clean up their mess.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown and is under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this fire is encouraged to contact Fire Marshal Mark Gomez at 209-669-2119 or by email at MGomez@turlock.ca.us.