Truck Goes Up in Flames; Firefighters Nearly Hit Responding

An 18-wheeler caught fire and burned on Interstate 10 near Flatonia early Saturday morning, April 1.

Flatonia Police Chief Lee Dick said the Sheriff’s Office called out on the radio around midnight reporting an 18-wheeler heading west with smoke coming from the rear. Dick said Flatonia Police Officer Ty Roggenkamp spotted the rig as it entered the City Limits. Dick said Roggenkamp could see fire coming from the rear axle. He activated his lights and got the 18-wheeler to pull over just west of town.

By that time, Flatonia Fire and Rescue responded with two tankers, an engine, a grass truck and eight firefighters. The trailer of the 18-wheeler was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Roggenkamp got the driver and passenger out of the rig and placed them into his patrol vehicle for safety.

Flatonia Fire and Rescue called for mutual aid from Muldoon Volunteer Fire Department. Muldoon VFD responded with one tanker, an engine and five firefighters.

“There were several close calls once we opened up one lane of traffic with drivers not yielding or slowing down,” said Julie Blair, public information officer for Flatonia Fire and Rescue.

Dick said one vehicle came very close to crashing into the first responders.

“The driver was not paying attention,” Dick said. “He drove through the cones and almost sideswiped a patrol car.”

Dick said Roggenkamp radioed to a Sheriff’s deputy who pulled over the inattentive driver. Dick said the driver received several citations. He did not have a driver’s license or insurance, so the vehicle was towed from the scene.

Firefighters put out the burning 18-wheeler and cleared the scene around 6 a.m. The 18-wheeler had to be hauled away in pieces due to the damage. Blair said it appeared that the fire started due to the rear trailer brakes locking up. The rig was carrying food, Dick said. No one was injured.