A fire caused an explosion at the construction site of the new Target store at Hilldale Mall Wednesday morning.
The firefighters that responded to the scene found flames coming from the back of a utility track on the lowest level of the building, according to the Madison Fire Department. The truck bed was said to have been loaded with compressed gas cylinders and gasoline cans.
Madison Fire Investigators said they believe a popped space tire caused the explosion after the tire's exposure to the intense heat of the fire.
Firefighters extinguished the flames before a great deal of damage could be done. However, there was still some heat and smoke damage to a beam near the truck. An engineer inspected the beam to check if any structural damage occurred. The cost of testing this beam could rise to $20,000, according to a statement.
Damages to the truck and its contents were estimated at $50,000, the fire department said.
The cause of the fire remains undetermined.
