Watson Firefighters Handle Semi Fire

Watson firefighters handled a semi on fire early Wednesday morning.

Firefighters were summoned at 4:51am to I-57 northbound, three miles of the Watson-Mason interchange. The semi driver phoned 911 that flames were showing from the semi-tractor.

Arriving firefighters spotted heavy fire involvement to the rear of the tractor. The driver had been able to disconnect the tractor from the trailer before firefighters arrived. Fire crews quickly knocked down the fire and prevented its spread into the sleeper berth. Fire damage was confined to the right rear tires and a stack of lumber stored on the crosswalk behind the sleeper berth.

Firefighters determined the fire began in the right rear tire area, but due to the damage done the cause of the fire is undetermined. A local tow agency removed the rig from the scene.

Watson fire units were on scene for about 35 minutes. Edgewood Bi-County Fire Protection District was initially called to the scene, but were called off en route once the fire was knocked down. The Effingham County Sheriff's Department assisted with traffic control during the incident.

There were no injuries to either the driver or firefighters.