Brush fire destroys KVFD’s main truck

KENT — The Kent Volunteer Fire Department’s main truck, Attack Engine 5-0, was destroyed while fighting a four-alarm brush fire on March 30. The brush fire began around 2 p.m. on state-owned land off North Kent Road. Shortly after the fire department volunteers arrived on the scene, attack engine 5-0 suffered a mechanical failure and got caught in the fire. The firefighters doused the truck with water, but their efforts were in vain — the truck burned and was completely destroyed. “We’re saddened by the loss of our truck, but we’re just thankful that no one was injured. The truck can certainly be replaced,” said fire company Chief Eric Epstein. Epstein said the department is fully insured and he is hoping that insurance will cover the costs of purchasing a replacement truck. The five other fire departments that responded to the call came from Cornwall, Warren, Gaylordsville, Sharon and Wassaic. Other fire departments were on call at firehouses in the towns that responded to the brush fire. The fire was contained within two hours, and there was no damage to any nearby structures. The cause of the brush fire is under investigation.