Pickup truck goes up in flames near Ward Plaza; nobody hurt

A pickup truck caught fire in the middle of the intersection of Valley Avenue and Weems Lane in Winchester around 1 p.m. Thursday.

WINCHESTER — No injuries were reported Thursday after a pickup truck caught fire near Ward Plaza.

Officials are still investigating the cause of the blaze — which according to Winchester Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Matt DeHaven occurred at the intersection of Valley Avenue and Weems Lane at about 1 p.m.

DeHaven said the fire started in the engine and passenger compartments of the truck, and took off after the fuel tank ruptured.

The driver of the vehicle, who was not identified, was turning left onto Valley Avenue from Weems Lane when he noticed a slight hesitation and backfire from the truck.

DeHaven said he and a passenger got out of the vehicle to try and push it to the side of the road when they noticed the fire.

Winchester Fire and Rescue crews from Shawnee and South End responded to the fire, along with DeHaven, who said traffic was congested in the area and had to be rerouted for about an hour and a half.

DeHaven didn’t provide a dollar estimate on the damage to the truck but said it was a total loss.

— Contact Melissa Boughton at mboughton@winchesterstar.com