Truck Burns on US 77 After Flat Tire

An 18-wheeler caught fire and burned on the north side of La Grange Monday, June 12.

The incident happened on US 77 near the Fayette County Fairgrounds around 5:44 p.m. La Grange Volunteer Fire Department had responded to a grass fire on US 77 north of town just a few minutes before the truck caught fire.

La Grange Fire Chief Frank Menefee said he believed the fire after the rig drove some distance on a flat tire. Menefee said the grass fire on US 77 north may have started from sparks thrown by the truck as it passed.

Two fire trucks responded to the grass fire. Three more units responded to the burning 18-wheeler. Menefee said one of the 18-wheeler’s tires was burning when firefighters arrived.

“That set the fuel tank on fire, and then it spread from the tractor to the trailer,” Menfee said.

Firefighters extinguished both fires.