JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

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(Video courtesy Ellis Co. Emergency Manager Bill Ring)

Ellis County rural fire crews spent more than six hours Wednesday night and Thursday morning battling a fire that destroyed a tractor-trailer on Interstate 70.

Fire Chief Darin Myers said crews received the report of a semi on fire in the westbound lane of I-70 at mile marker 151–two miles east of Yocemento–just before 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

According to Myers,the box trailer was loaded with mix of glues, tars and other roofing supplies. The hazardous materials inside the trailer made the fire difficult extinguish, Myers said, adding that the flumes from the fire caused explosions inside the trailer and kept reigniting, causing a dangerous situation for firefighters.

M&D Excavating of Hays supplied a loader to help break up the trailer and clear the roadway.

Both lanes of Interstate 70 were closed for a period of time and eastbound traffic was detoured onto Old Highway 40 at the Ellis exit.

The driver of the semi was not injured, and according to Myers, crews were able to save enough of the truck so the driver could retrieve his personal items. Myers said the trailer was a complete loss and the only thing left of the truck was the cab.

Interstate was reopened by 2 a.m. Thursday. Crews remained on scene until 3 a.m. to knock down any hot spots and finish clearing the wreckage.

The cause of the fire has not been released by law enforcement personnel.