It was a tense battle yesterday in Hometown as firefighters worked in 90 degree temperatures to prevent rising flames from the cab of a propane truck from spreading to its tank.

Firefighters were called to 4 Grove Street just before 3 p.m. for a report of smoke and flames rising from the cab of a propane truck, owned by Rarick's Coal and National Oil.Rush Township police said flames, some rising six feet above the cab, had fully engulfed the cab of the truck when they arrived. It was unknown if the tank was filled with propane.During the response, officials on scene evacuated nearby homes; two located about 60 feet away.Responding were firefighters from Hometown and surrounding communities. Also responding were Ryan Township and Mahanoy City police and Tamaqua Ambulance."Firefighters arrived on scene within a short time and were able to safely put the fire out," said Rush Township Police Sergeant Duane Frederick. "There were no injuries."The cause of the fire was unknown.Hometown Fire Police and other volunteers detoured traffic around Lincoln Drive and Grove Street during the response.