US Postal Service Truck Catches Fire in Brawley; cause under investigation

Yesterday evening, a US Postal Service truck ignited in flames at approximately 1:30 p.m. The incident occurred at the intersection of E Street and 13th Street. Initial reports from the Brawley Fire Department suggest the fire may have been caused by faulty wiring in the vehicle’s fan.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported. The fire was quickly extinguished by the Brawley Fire Department, who arrived promptly on the scene.

Incidents like this are not unusual, as many US Postal Service trucks are over 30 years old. The aging fleet of Grumman Long Life Vehicles (LLVs), which have a 24-year life expectancy and were last delivered in 1994, has faced significant issues. According to a report from Vice, hundreds of USPS delivery trucks have caught fire in recent years.

Since May 2014, more than 407 LLVs have sustained damage or been destroyed by fire. The USPS currently has over 141,000 LLVs in its fleet, and despite mandatory maintenance schedules, the aging vehicles continue to pose risks. The USPS is working on deploying new vehicles but has faced delays due to financial constraints and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Brawley Fire Department. We have reached out to them for further comments but have yet to receive a response. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.