Catastrophic outcome avoided in mobile food truck-trailer fire

Firefighters responded to reports of a fire at a convenience store’s barbecue mobile food truck trailer. The fire, on HWY 15 south at midday Friday, could have been much worse than the actual end results.  Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) officers reported the fire to dispatchers who, in turn, dispatched New Albany Fire units.  MHP officers’ quick response using fire extinguishers from their vehicles to extinguish the fire, and notifying an employee inside the trailer of the fire, possibly prevented further damage or injury.  Damage appeared to be to the wiring, a light, fan, canopy, and other parts of the trailer.

The issue of mobile food service trucks has been discussed previously concerning safety of the public and employees who attend festivals, fairs, or other events in our city.  Code Enforcement Officer Eric Thomas was on scene with the fire department. His concerns,  along with fire officials’, are,”What if this had been in the crowded areas during Freedom Fest or Riverfest?”

Code Enforcement Officials have been looking into different codes that could provide policies and or guidelines for the future. New Albany’s festivals are growing and expanding. The safety of the public must always be a major concern when planning New Albany’s popular events.

by Mark Whiteside

Deputy Chief, New Albany Fire Department