Medic unit catches fire at Old City firehouse

Officials are investigating what caused a medic unit to catch fire in an Old City fire station this morning, heavily damaging the ambulance and fire house.

A medic parked in the bay of the firehouse at 4th and Arch streets caught on fire shortly before 11:40 a.m. Though the blaze resulted in heavy smoke and fire, it was put under control quickly, officials said, and there were no injuries.

That unit is "pretty much destroyed," Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers said.

The interior of the firehouse also sustained damage, leaving the station's overhead doors inoperable, he said.

The station will be out of service for the time being.

Ayers said the crews stationed there would be placed at other locations.

The two emergency medical technicians who reported the blaze escaped unharmed.

"Everyone's safe," Ayers said. "Both of those medics got out."

Ayers said it isn't yet known how the fire started.

Traffic throughout Old City was tied up in knots after emergency crews rushed to the scene.

People working in nearby offices reported hearing an explosion before seeing the plumes of smoke.

The blaze was put out in minutes.