Yesterday morning Mesa Engine 81, Mesa Engine 82, and Mesa Battalion 8 responded to a commercial vehicle fire at the 1500 block of Scenic Ave., according to the Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Department.
ME81 reported seeing smoke coming from a mobile document shredding box truck. ME81 deployed a hose line and extinguished an active fire inside the truck.
No injuries were reported and there was minimal property damage isolated to the box truck.
The fire crews remained on scene after the fire was extinguished to complete overhaul and investigative operations.
Based on industry sources, the estimated value of a mobile document shredding box truck like the one involved in the Costa Mesa fire is typically between $72,000 and $90,000.
These trucks are outfitted with industrial shredders and may include features like:
- Conveyor-fed shredding systems
- Cart tippers
- Lift gates
- Secure containment for shredded material
The final value depends on the truck’s age, condition, and equipment configuration. If the truck was newer or had advanced shredding capabilities, the replacement cost could be on the higher end of that range or even exceed $100,000.
If the owner of the burned document shredding truck has commercial auto insurance, here’s how the incident might affect them:
- Insurance Claim
They would likely file a claim under their comprehensive coverage, which includes fire damage. If the truck was insured for its full value (around $72,000–$100,000), the insurer would assess the damage and potentially pay for repairs or replacement, minus the deductible. - Deductible Payment
The owner would need to pay a deductible, typically between $500 and $2,500, depending on their policy. - Premium Impact
Filing a claim could lead to higher premiums at renewal, especially if the insurer sees the incident as part of a pattern or if the truck wasn’t properly maintained. - Loss of Discounts
If the owner had a no-claims discount, they might lose it, which could also increase their premium. - Operational Downtime
If the truck is out of service, the business might lose income or need to rent a replacement vehicle, which could add to costs. - Cargo and Equipment Loss
If documents or shredding equipment inside the truck were damaged, cargo insurance (if included) might cover those losses.