Firefighters extinguished nine brush fires in rural Douglas County that were ignited by a truck that was shooting glowing embers from its tailpipe, authorities say.
Firefighters quickly put out the brush fires along Titan Road in Douglas County just after 7 p.m. Tuesday, said Becky O’Guin, spokeswoman for South Metro Fire Rescue Authority.
Investigators found several pieces of a catalytic converter at most of the fires. The engine particles led them to a truck that had broken down.
When a catalytic converter breaks down, it often ejects glowing metallic particles through the exhaust pipe, flinging them up to 30 feet from the vehicle, O’Guin said.
About 25 firefighters from three departments put out the large brush fires that briefly threatened a home and barn, she said.
Crews brought in several water trucks in the rural area to fight the fire. The fires were put out in about 20 minutes.
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
