By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

SMOLAN - Batteries are suspected to be the cause of a fire that destroyed a pickup and damaged a house in Smolan Monday evening.

Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander said this morning that deputies and firefighters from Rural Fire Districts 6 and 2 were sent to the 100 block of S. Third Street in Smolan at 6:30 p.m. Monday for the report of a vehicle fire.

A 47-year-old man had parked his 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup in the driveway. A short time later, a neighbor went to the residence to alert the man to a fire in the pickup, Melander said. The man and neighbors kept the fire at bay until firefighters could arrive.

Meander said that batteries in the back seat of the pickup are suspected as the cause of the blaze.

The pickup, valued at $20,000, was destroyed. Additionally, an estimated $1,000 in damage was done to the siding on a nearby house. Melander said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658937643626.jpeg" alt="Firefighters check out a pickup that was destroyed by a fire in Smolan Monday evening. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office" />
 <figcaption>Firefighters check out a pickup that was destroyed by a fire in Smolan Monday evening. Photo courtesy Saline County Sheriff's Office</figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostSMOLAN - Batteries are suspected to be the cause of a fire that destroyed a pickup and damaged a house in Smolan Monday evening.Saline County Undersheriff Brent Melander said this morning that deputies and firefighters from Rural Fire Districts 6 and 2 were sent to the 100 block of S. Third Street in Smolan at 6:30 p.m. Monday for the report of a vehicle fire.A 47-year-old man had parked his 2006 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup in the driveway. A short time later, a neighbor went to the residence to alert the man to a fire in the pickup, Melander said. The man and neighbors kept the fire at bay until firefighters could arrive.Meander said that batteries in the back seat of the pickup are suspected as the cause of the blaze.The pickup, valued at $20,000, was destroyed. Additionally, an estimated $1,000 in damage was done to the siding on a nearby house. Melander said.

Blaze destroys pickup, damages siding in Smolan