Fire engine hit, damaged by pick-up truck

July 20--PICKENS COUNTY -- A fire engine used by Central Volunteer Fire Department was taken out of commission after it was struck from behind on Sunday by a pick-up truck while crews were stopped to help with another incident.

Elijah Reynolds, administration officer for the Central Volunteer Fire Department, said the accident happened on S.C. 123 near the Issaqueena Trail exit. No injuries were reported.

"We were parked in the northbound lane to provide a safe working environment for our rescue crews when the engine was struck from behind by a pick-up truck," Reynolds said.

Reynolds stated that the engine's lights were on and flashing and that neither the driver of the pick-up nor any firefighters were injured.

"Everybody was OK, but the engine had its rear tailboard dented and now the back door won't open. The insurance people are going over it now," he said.

Initially, Central Volunteer Fire Department had been dispatched to the scene to deal with an accident in which a car had struck the cable barrier in the median of the highway.

According to Reynolds, no one involved in the original accident was injured either.

The Central Volunteer Fire Department operates out of two stations to protect approximately 8,000 people and an area of roughly 45 square miles bordering Clemson University Fire, Six Mile Volunteer Fire Department, Liberty Fire Department and Norris Volunteer Fire Department with whom the department has a mutual aid agreement.

The 1992 engine, one of 12 in Central's fleet, has been taken out of service until repairs are made.

"We just bought it too," Reynolds said. "We bought it from Clemson six months ago."

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.

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