By JONATHAN ZWEYGARDT
Hays Post

Ellis County fire crews responded to two fires Wednesday, including one on Interstate 70.

The first fire was reported on Interstate 70 at mile marker 167. Ellis County Director of Fire and Emergency Management Darin Myers said when crews arrived, they found a semi and a flatbed trailer on fire. The fire was contained to the back half of the semi, and Myers said crews were able to save the cab of the truck.

Because of the location of the fire, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Office was forced to close the interstate and reroute traffic onto Old Highway 40 for approximately 15 minutes.

Myers said the most likely cause of the fire was a mechanical malfunction.

On Wednesday evening, crews were called to a second fire to 330th Avenue southwest of Victoria.

Myers said when crews arrived on scene, they found a tractor that was fully engulfed. The tractor was considered a total loss, according to Myers. It was attached to a mowing implement, which might have also sustained damage.

The cause of the fire was undetermined.