One-acre fire accidental

EPHRATA - The Ephrata Fire Department rolled out its new $175,000 water truck for the first time on Wednesday to respond to an accidental one-acre brush fire behind the USDA Service Center.

People believed to be contracted by the USDA were reportedly behind the building on Basin Street salvaging metal from old farm equipment about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, said Ephrata Fire Chief Jeremy Burns on Thursday.

Burns said the grass fire likely started from a metal torch used for the salvaging.

Two brush trucks, an engine, command unit and the new truck were called to the fire and were on the scene for about two hours, Burns said.

The newest addition - the water truck - holds 3,000 gallons of water and has a 390-gallon-per-minute pump, according to the fire department.

The new truck replaces the fire department's 30-year-old water truck, which the department says was "in a state of mechanical failure and deemed unsafe for continued operation."

Ninety-five percent of the truck was paid for by a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters.

Matching money of $8,750 came from the fire department's budget.

The truck will assist other Grant County fire departments and areas throughout the state for large-scale emergencies.