By By Adam Prestridge
A track hoe caught fire while the driver was digging a ditch Monday afternoon in a field between McRae Street and Old Bratt Road.
According to workers on the scene, crews were digging the ditch as part of the City of Atmore's newly approved Pine Barren Watershed Project to aid in rainwater runoff when the fire started at 3:08 p.m.
Getting to where the track hoe was located was a chore according to McGhee.
According to McGhee, S.A. Graham Contracting, the company awarded the Watershed Project bid, owned the track hoe damaged in the fire. He said it was a total loss.
According to fire reports, the fire department arrived on the scene at 3:12 p.m. four minutes after the initial call was received.
With temperatures rising as summer approaches, McGhee offered advice to companies that work with heavy equipment.
The cause of the fire has not been determined, but McGhee believes heat was a contributing factor.
Workers said no one was injured in the fire.
Two fire engines, a brush truck and eight firefighters responded to the scene.
Officials with S.A. Graham Company declined to comment.