Semi on Fire Blocks Interstate Over Weekend

The northbound lanes of I-57 were blocked for a time Sunday night.

The incident occurred at 8:41pm just south of Neoga as state police received a report of a semi with its tires on fire.  The report was later updated that the rig was fully engulfed in flames.

Neoga firefighters responded and got the fire under control.  There was a rekindle of the fire at 10:38pm, but that rekindle was put out with an extinguisher although Neoga firefighters were again called to the scene.

The driver of the semi was not injured.

The fire caused both northbound lanes to be closed for about an hour.  One lane re-opened around 9:30pm and both lanes were open again about 10pm.

The trailer of the rig was loaded with cotton seed.  When the water hit the load, it began to absorb the water, making the load expand and get heavier.  Crews hauled away the semi tractor last night and were working on the trailer today.  The rig is owned by Nationwide Distributors of Plainfield, Wisconsin.