KALAMAZOO, MI — Troy Leslie was inside his truck near the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission when he detected the scent of smoke.
Moments later, his Ford pickup was completely consumed by flames.
“I just got my license reinstated, got back into that truck, and now it’s gone,” Leslie remarked.
The loss of the truck, which he acquired just four months ago, is a significant blow for Leslie, who had diligently saved for it and was now preparing to save for an apartment.
Authorities arrived at 448 N. Burdick St. just after 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, where they found the truck fully aflame. Thick black smoke and large orange flames were visible from several blocks away.
Flames and smoke from a fully-involved vehicle fire were visible behind the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission on April 9, 2025. A Ford pickup truck caught fire just before 3:30 p.m. off North Burdick Street.Ryan Boldrey | MLive.com
Once the fire was put out, the front dashboard had melted and almost all personal items, except for a neon yellow set of towing cables in the pickup’s bed, were destroyed.
“I don’t even know why I should bother anymore,” Leslie said, sitting in another truck parked close to the remnants of his.
While sitting inside his vehicle and smoking a cigarette, Leslie noticed a strange smell coming from under the hood.
“It smells like someone is burning copper wire,” he told his friend, Will.
When he lifted the hood, bright orange flames greeted him. The two attempted to extinguish the fire using their sodas, and Leslie even tried to smother the flames with a blanket.
The flames escalated quickly, preventing Leslie from having time to grab his wallet, which he had left on the dashboard. Officers were unable to locate the wallet, which Leslie noted had a silver Harley Davidson keychain attached.
Leslie was on the verge of moving into a new apartment and had a TV stand, a coffee table, and newly purchased clothes in the truck’s bed.
“I wanted to feel at home in my new apartment,” Leslie said. “I’ve been saving and not wasting my money.”
Smoke and flames from a fully-involved vehicle fire were seen behind the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission on April 9, 2025. A Ford pickup truck caught fire shortly before 3:30 p.m. on North Burdick Street.Aya Miller
Leslie had also made considerable investments in the truck itself, including a $300 stereo installation.
He shared that he has encountered many hurdles in his saving journey, including a compromised checking account.
Leslie mentioned he had fallen behind on his phone and insurance bills but had recently managed to catch up on two truck payments.
Leslie was transported to the hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation.
“Every time I think I’m making progress, something sets me back,” Leslie reflected.
