How did 2 fire trucks collide fighting blaze? Visibility, sirens among suspected causes

The tanker truck from Windsor's Laurel Fire Company was heading west on Mount Rose Avenue Friday night, returning to the massive warehouse fire in York City after refilling at the York Water Co. facility off the avenue near Interstate 83, just as another tanker from the York New Salem's Community Fire Company was racing south on Hill Street toward the water company.

The two trucks collided in the intersection of Mount Rose Avenue and Hill Street at 10:55 p.m.

Seven firefighters were injured in what was described as an "accident." Two firefighters from Windsor suffered relatively minor injuries and, according to Chief David Rittenhouse, "both are back to work" and "doing well." Five firefighters from York New Salem suffered "different levels of injuries," though none were considered life-threatening, according to the fire company. An update on their conditions and severity of injuries was not immediately available.

Water was needed at the scene of the massive fire in the 900 block of Elm Street in York City's east side. Such a massive fire requires a lot of water and the system can handle only so much before it causes damage to water mains, according to Rittenhouse.

Spring Garden Township Police Chief Adam Zimmerman said the crash is still under investigation, but it appears to be simply an accident. A business sits on the northeast corner of the intersection, limiting the visibility of the drivers heading south on Hill Street and west on Mount Rose Avenue, he said. He also said he believed both tankers were running their sirens, which would have made the drivers of the truck unable to hear the siren of the other truck.

Previously:Huge warehouse blaze in York under control - firefighters now putting out hot spots

Previously:Seven firefighters injured when two fire trucks crashed working on warehouse fire