Fire truck rolls across street, hits power pole

An investigation is under way into a suspicious crash outside a fire station in New Smyrna Beach after a fire truck somehow rolled out of the station and into a telephone pole.

Firefighters said the truck's brakes failed, but some aren't so sure.

WFTV spoke to other fire departments, and even the New Smyrna Beach Fire Department admits that this is a rare incident. No one was behind the wheel at the time.

A police report states the truck rolled from behind Station 52 and across 2nd and Youpon avenues on a Saturday, a bustling time for the beachside community.

But amazingly, the crash only involved the 35,000-pound truck and there were no injuries. Still, Chief David McCallister said he is mystified by how a parking brake failed, which is what city mechanics say happened.

"What I know is the truck was parked, the parking brake lever was activated, and the truck was still able to roll," McCallister said.

According to witness statements, the 2003 Pierce fire truck sat for two and a half hours on a slight decline before it rolled about 50 feet to the power pole. Officials said the truck's parking brake lever was engaged when they found it here.

"We found the truck as it had been found and we verified that the parking brake was in the applied position," McCallister said.

Crews were able to move the truck in reverse with the brake engaged, officials said. The truck has been taken out of service and will be looked at by representative from Pierce.

The accident caused a few thousand dollars in damage.

WFTV contacted Pierce to ask if brakes have failed on other trucks, but hasn't heard back.

The fire department said it will send the truck to the manufacturer on Monday.

It could take several weeks to determine if the brakes failed.