NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A Ford F-150 caught fire in the parking lot behind the rectory near Salesian High School this morning.
Firefighters forced open the hood. Orange flames were visible. Two probationary firefighters teamed up to douse the first while an officer directed them how to attack the fire. They made quick work of the fire which was out within 7 minutes of arrival.
Before the arrival of the New Rochelle Fire Department, clouds of thick, acrid smoke billowed from the vehicle.
Two men, one the owner of the vehicle, attempted to extinguish the engine fire without success before firefighters arrived on scene. One man filled a bucket with water and dumped it on the hood of the truck which was burned through. The other man sprayed a fire extinguisher on and under the engine.
The incident began at shortly after 7:30 a.m. as players, coaches and families arrived for an early morning baseball game scheduled for Father John Blanco Ballpark just a few feet away. Most stood and watched as the firefighters worked the fire.
Salesian High School is an all-boys Catholic high school in New Rochelle, NY, founded in 1920. The school is operated by the Salesians of Don Bosco and part of the Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of New York.
Salesian Missions is an office of the Salesian Society, Inc., the Eastern United States province of the order. SSI is headquartered in New Rochelle, New York, and,as incorporated as a private, non-profit.