MIDDLESEX TWP - About 1,400 feet of fire hose let loose off a truck on Route 8 during Thursday's afternoon rush hour.

“It was just a freak accident,” said Middlesex Township Volunteer Fire Department Chief Dave Metz.

According to Metz and township police Sgt. Randy Ruediger, the fire department was responding to a report of a brush fire on Bowie Road, off State Road in the township.

Just after 5 p.m., the engine already was on the scene and fighting the fire when the tanker was driving south on Route 8 toward the fire, Metz said.

A five-inch hose dislodged from the hose line, and at least 1,000 feet of the hose extended down Route 8 and more onto Route 228 west, Reudiger said.

Metz said the hose is 1,400 feet long.

During this time, officials at the Butler County 911 Dispatch Center received what they deemed “numerous” calls from passerby and motorists reporting the loose hose. They contacted the fire truck by radio dispatch to stop.

According to officials, two firefighters were on the truck including driver Robert Womer.

No one was hurt. But at least one motorist, Louis Tumminello of Valencia, alleges his 2015 BMW was damaged when he ran over the hose.

Tumminello, who could not be reached for comment, filed a report and the incident is under investigation, Ruediger said.

“We all have a duty to make sure our equipment is secured on our vehicles,” Ruediger said.

Metz said the hose was packed, loaded and strapped properly. And the truck was in no hurry as the engine already was on site.

“It is not as though they were speeding,” He said

Instead, Metz said likely culprit was the day's high winds, which prompted the removal of a tarp and likely blew around the hose.

“It happens,” he said.