Andrew Pontious Obituary, – The potential for the burning construction vehicle to act as an explosive was unknown to anyone involved.
Neither the driver, who attempted to extinguish the flames, nor the workers who directed water onto the engine were aware. Andrew Pontious, a firefighter from L.A. County who was dispatched to the Palmdale quarry on June 14, also lacked this knowledge.
According to a Fire Department analysis completed this month, Pontious had been spraying water near the vehicle for approximately two minutes when one of its nearly 7-foot tires detonated.
Fragments of rubber and steel were propelled across a distance equivalent to a football field, resulting in the immediate death of Pontious, aged 53.
“It resembled an IED,” remarked David Pontious, Andrew’s brother, who had served at the same Palmdale fire station before his retirement this spring, referring to an improvised explosive device commonly found in combat zones.
While it is not unusual for tires to burst in a fire due to increasing pressure, there are instances when a tire does not merely blow out but explodes. The combination of heat and air within the tire can initiate a chemical reaction that generates a powerful shock wave. The larger the tire, the more significant the explosion.
“It acts as shrapnel. It operates on the same principle as a bomb,” stated Olivier Bellavigna-Ladoux, a mechanical engineer specializing in vehicle safety.
Within the specialized field of vehicle safety engineering, this risk was recognized—though rare, it was deadly. However, for firefighters throughout California, the danger was largely unknown until it was brought to light by the tragic incident involving Pontious.
In response to this event, L.A. County fire officials issued a safety advisory this month, urging firefighters to maintain a safe distance from burning heavy equipment. Fire departments in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Bernardino County, and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection disseminated this notice to their personnel, which collectively includes thousands of firefighters across California.
“There was no awareness that such large tires could explode in a manner capable of causing fatalities,” stated David Pontious, 55. “It was simply an unfortunate accident.”
