Truck Hits Power Pole, Causes House Fire In Stearns Co.
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Stearns County deputies are investigating after a truck crashed into a power pole causing a power outage and fire in St. Wendel Township Thursday morning.
According to the Stearns County Sheriff's office, around 9:45 a.m. officers received a call reporting a dump truck had hit a power pole, resulting in the lines being down in the 8900 block of 320th Street. Shortly after the first call, officers were informed a house in the area was on fire as well.
Upon arrival, deputies saw a power pole on top of a 1998 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Ralph Eiynck.
They also located the house and found a gas leak.
Further investigation found that a dump truck from Schroder Inc. had caused the incident.
According to deputies, the truck had been dumping a load of soil in front of the home and started to drive away while lowering the dump box. The box then caught the power lines that were across the road, causing the power pole to break and fall onto Eiynck's truck.
Eiynck was trapped inside the truck until the power was disconnected.
He was later transported to St. Cloud Hospital. His condition is unknown.
No one was in the house at the fire.
The incident is currently under investigation.