Mail burns when delivery truck catches fire

A U.S. Postal Service truck delivering mail near Lewes caught fire and was destroyed March 17, taking with it numerous pieces of mail.

The Lewes Fire Department website shows several units were dispatched at 3:42 p.m. to 17444 Taramino Place in Nassau, off Route 1 north of Five Points. The truck was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived on the scene.

Just how much mail was destroyed could not be determined; calls to the Rehoboth Beach Post Office were not returned at press time. State police say no foul play is suspected, but no cause of the fire was released.

The driver of the vehicle was not injured, but the vehicle was totaled, according to a letter sent to postal customers along the route March 19. The letter from Rehoboth Beach Postmaster Betsy Triglia informed customers of the fire and let them know mail had been destroyed.

Mail deemed salvageable will be held at the Rehoboth Beach Post Office Annex, 20673 Coastal Highway, Unit 8, Rehoboth Beach, until Wednesday, April 2. The letter said customers will be notified directly if their mail can be identified to make arrangements to view the mail.

Triglia said the fire may lead to inconveniences for customers and said her letter should be of assistance in explaining this situation to creditors and other correspondents.

“Experience has shown they willingly review their customers' file and usually waive any penalty or late fees when it is apparent a delayed or missed payment was not the fault of the customer,” the letter reads.

For more information and to make arrangements to see damaged mail call (302) 227-8241.