A mobile billboard truck erupted in flames while parked in downtown Bay City on Thursday, marking the second time in six weeks that one of these trucks has caught fire in the city limits.
The flames left five surrounding cars with cosmetic damages. No injuries were reported.
Kurt Corradi, Bay City’s fire chief, said the cause of the fires is unknown, and there is an ongoing investigation into the incidents.
“It does seem like both fires were very similar,” Corradi said. “The fire originated in the back in the box on both vehicles, so that is one thing we do know. How that started is what we're still trying to determine.”
The two trucks, owned and operated by Tri-City Mobile Billboard as a billboard on wheels, went up in flames while making their way around the city. The incidents occurred within six weeks of each other and involved the same driver.
In April, the first truck fire caused severe damage to Retro Attics Studio, an antique furniture store.
Michael Bermudez owns Retro Attics. He was in his building when the blaze started and rushed outside to see what was going on as the truck started to smoke.
“By the time I walked back to my store, flames were already out of the top of the truck,” Bermudez said. “It just went up that fast. The heat was so intense, I could feel it inside the building past the windows. And I'm talking like 20, 25 feet into my store, I could feel the heat.”
The damage to his store was so severe, Bermudez said, that he was forced to shut his doors indefinitely.
“I've literally been income-less for two months now,” he said “You know, it's pretty devastating.”
Corradi said Tri-City Mobile Billboard has been “extremely cooperative” in the investigation into both fires, and “have provided us with everything we've asked for.”
Tri-City Mobile Billboard has not yet responded to WCMU’s request for comment.
In response to the second truck fire, Scott Ellis, a Bay City council member, put forth a petition to ban the trucks from the city.
Ellis in the petition's post online that he he is concerned the trucks are creating a dangerous and unpredictable city environment.
“These incidents pose a significant threat not just to property, but, more importantly, to the lives of our community members,” Ellis wrote. “The two recent incidents happened in the downtown area where pedestrian traffic is highest and the summer months will see a substantial increase in feet on the streets.”
The petition has garnered over 150 signatures so far. No formal action has been taken by the city.
“I signed it,” Bermudez said. “I know a bunch of downtown business owners have already signed it. I think it's a great thing.”
