Hamburg, NY — August 5 — Newton Abbott Fire Company, Inc.responded to a mutual-aid request from Big Tree Volunteer Fire Company in Hamburg, New York, for a reported tractor-trailer fire near a building.The emergency call was received at approximately 11:37 p.m.

Upon arriving at the scene, firefighters determined that the fire was actually involving a large pile of oily rags, not the tractor-trailer. Fire officers from Big Tree and personnel from the Hamburg Police Department helped assess the situation. The fire was found to be deep-seated, requiring more extensive suppression efforts.

Newton Abbott Quint 6 was dispatched as the truck company and deployed its aerial device to assist with master-stream operations.

The 75-foot aerial is part of Newton Abbott’s 1993 Simon/LTI quintuple-combination pumper, which is designed to handle both engine and ladder functions.The company identifies Quint 6 as one of its first-due apparatuses for fire alarms and other incidents.

Newton Abbott Fire Company is based at 3426 Abbott Road in the Town of Hamburg. Erie County recognizes both Newton-Abbott and Big Tree as fire companies operating in Hamburg.

Oily rags can be a fire hazard because some oil-based products generate heat as they dry, particularly when they are piled together. The National Transportation Safety Board has noted cases of fires caused by spontaneous combustion from improperly stored oil-soaked rags.