South County Fire Vehicle Stolen and Recovered Today

A South County Fire Ford F-150 was stolen from the scene of a residential fire investigation on July 25, 2025, but was recovered shortly afterward with minor damage. Firefighters parked the vehicle on 76th Ave W with its emergency lights activated while allowing a tow truck access to a damaged vehicle. Within minutes, a man stole the F-150, striking another fire truck as he fled. Local law enforcement responded promptly and located the stolen vehicle in Shoreline, where it appeared mostly intact, with only the fuel card missing. Chief Bob Eastman highlighted the department's distress over the thefts of emergency vehicles funded by the community.

The fire department is investigating strategies to enhance vehicle security, including engineering and training modifications. Fortunately, no injuries resulted from the incident, and emergency services will continue without disruption. A reserve vehicle is available to ensure ongoing service to the community.