Panaprint box truck erupts in flames behind Macon post office

A Panaprint truck driver was unloading magazines behind the post office Tuesday afternoon when the cab burst into flames.

About 3:30 p.m., a plume of black smoke starting rising into the sky near College Street and Hardeman Avenue.

The flames devoured the engine and cab and melted the metal cargo panels and exposed the frame.

Steven Wesson, a Macon-Bibb County fire investigator, said he thinks the blaze started in the engine compartment, possibly with the turbo unit of the Isuzu truck.

The driver ran for a fire extinguisher, but the flames got too far ahead of him, Wesson said.

“The fire was contained to the truck and the contents. No injuries, and no other issues,” Wesson said.

Wesson climbed on top of the post office roof to make sure no sparks or burning particles flew onto the building.

Firefighters extinguished the flames in a matter of minutes.

This story was originally published June 16, 2015 at 4:50 PM with the headline "Panaprint box truck erupts in flames behind Macon post office ."