Forklift Fire on Betteravia Road in Santa Maria Extinguished; No Injuries Reported

A fire involving a propane-powered forklift broke out Monday morning at 1700 E Betteravia Rd, prompting a quick response from local fire departments.

The Santa Barbara County Fire Department and Santa Maria Fire Department both responded to the emergency reported at 11:16 a.m.

Despite efforts by the operator and on-site personnel to extinguish the blaze, it was the responding fire units that successfully knocked down the fire by 11:54 a.m. There were no injuries reported as a result of the incident.

A particular concern during the firefighting efforts was the presence of an anhydrous ammonia tank located near the forklift, which posed a potential risk. However, the situation was declared static, and the tank was not compromised by the fire.

As of now, the cause of the forklift fire remains under investigation. After ensuring the area was safe and that there was no longer a threat, fire resources were released from the scene.

The incident briefly disrupted activities in the vicinity of 1700 E Betteravia Rd, but officials have assured the public that there is no ongoing danger. The investigation into what caused the fire is ongoing, as safety officials work to prevent future occurrences.