Cheriton, Va. — A burst hydraulic hose is being blamed for a fire that destroyed an expensive Prowler fertilizer spreader operating out of Helena Chemical Co.’s Tasley office that brought out a host of emergency responders. “The hydraulic hose burst and let some hot fluid get out and ignite,” reported Ed Brister, director of regulatory affairs from Helena headquarters at Collierville, Tenn. “I don’t know if the investigation is completed. The only thing I’ve seen is some photos of it, and from the photos it appears to be a total loss.” The machinery, which is licensed to travel on roadways, was on U.S. Route 13 shortly before 9 a.m., when the driver looked in the rear-view mirror and saw smoke coming out of the back. By the time he pulled off to the shoulder and escaped uninjured, the flames were spreading. E Series or 9275 Prowlers are built by GVM Inc. of East Berlin, Penn., for spreading liquid or dry fertilizer. While the value of the Prowler was not immediately available, late model Prowlers were being offered last week around $180,000.
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