18-Wheeler Catches Fire After Blowout Near Whataburger

An 18-wheeler caught fire on SH 71 at the Whataburger exit in La Grange Wednesday, Feb. 5.

La Grange Volunteer Fire Department got the call around 8:50 a.m. The driver reported that he felt a tire blow out while heading west on SH 71. He pulled onto the exit ramp. When he stopped, he saw flames coming from the passenger side rear axles of the Peterbilt truck-tractor.

The truck was pulling a piece of oilfield equipment. The driver tried unhooking the trailer from the rig, but by that time flames had engulfed the rear end of the Peterbilt. The fire got so hot that it melted aluminum wheels.

La Grange VFD responded with an engine and a tanker. They quickly put out the fire, along with a small grass fire that started on the side of the exit ramp.

The exit ramp remained closed while emergency responders cleared the roadway. The fire department left the scene around 9:41 a.m.