Fire Department

County Highway AB was shut down for a period of time Thursday afternoon after a freight liner truck hauling large rolls of straw mulch used for seed cover caught fire.

Engine Company 5 and Engine Company 13 responded to its location, where County Highway AB intersects with the westbound Beltline highway. The driver said he was on the road for about ten minutes when he recognized something was wrong. After pulling over, he first attempted to put out the fire himself, but the fire grew quickly as the highly flammable straw was fueled by the wind. 

With the straw stacked high behind the exhaust pipe on the rear of the passenger cab prior to the fire, firefighters believe the heated exhaust may have started the fire. The truck and trailer suffered significant damage and may be total losses.