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Early Morning Fire Destroys Semi-Tractor

Boise Fire Investigators are still looking into what caused a fire overnight that led to a two-alarm response at an East Boise semi-truck service center.

Boise Firefighters responded to a fire alarm at a semi-truck service and repair business on the 800 block of Boeing St. at 10:48 p.m. Tuesday. The business is south of I-84 and east of Broadway.

Boise Fire Station # 7 just down the street. Firefighters at the station could see heavy smoke coming from the building and called for a second alarm. When they arrived on scene, firefighters could see through windows what looked like a large fire.

They forced their way into the building and found a semi-tractor almost fully engulfed in flames. The truck was apparently in the shop for repairs.

Boise Fire Department Battalion Chief Jake Ellis told Today's Channel 6 News that a sprinkler system inside the large garage had kept the fire contained to the single truck until firefighters could arrive and put the fire completely out. He said several oily rags were found under the rig, but it is not yet know if possible ignition of the rags caused the fire.

"Early notification alarms work. And in this case, combined with a sprinkler system, we were able to get here quickly and get the fire out before more damage was done," Ellis said. "We appreciate these systems that alert us quickly to fires. And this is a good example where the business investment in a good fire alarm and protection system appears to have paid off for them," he added.

Thanks to the sprinkler system, the rest of the building sustained only minor fire damage

Ellis said damage is estimated to be about $100,000.

A second alarm response means 2 ladder trucks, 4 fire engines, command and support personnel all responded to the fire call.

Investigators are still looking into what sparked the fire.