The Seattle Fire Department now says the truck that had an equipment malfunction at the scene of Saturday’s fatal fire in Fremont was not Engine 18. In fact, it was Engine 81, a reserve fire engine.
Engine 81 used as ‘Engine 18’ by the Ballard-based fire crew.
Seattle Fire says the reserve engine was in use by the Ballard crew because the first line engine was undergoing routine maintenance. “Reserve engines take on the name of the station to which they are assigned when in service. This is why fire officials have referred to Engine 81 as ‘Engine 18,'” a release from the Seattle Fire Department states. Engine 81 was put into service in September 1996.
The City of Seattle is investigating the malfunction. An independent expert, as well as an expert from the engine’s manufacturer, Emergency One, will conduct the investigation, the release states.
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