Two toll booths were damaged. The cause of the fire is unclear. Author: WTOL Newsroom Updated: 8:43 AM EDT May 5, 2021
LUCAS COUNTY, Ohio A man and his dog are OK after his car became engulfed in flames on the Ohio Turnpike Wednesday morning.
The fire happened at the toll booth near the Toledo Express Airport in Swanton around 5:30 a.m.
Fire crews say the man and the dog inside the car got out safely with no injuries. It is unclear what started the fire.
Two toll booths were damaged.
The Springfield Township Fire Department and the 180th Fighter Wing Fire Department assisted at the scene.
Trustee Brad Calhoun said the fire department went down to 37 due to retirements last year.
“We waited and asked all our departments to hold the line,” Calhoun said. “When we got a better idea of where we were (financially), we gave the go-ahead to begin a search.”
He said Ian Murray and Brandon Gilmore stood out. They began work three weeks ago with the promise to swear them in this month.
Murray, 36, has been a member of the armed forces for close to 19 years. He received his firefighter II and EMT-basic certification from Cuyahoga Community College. Along with wife Ashley, Murray lives in Tallmadge and works part- time for Springfield Township Fire Department.