Fire Damages Semi on I-70 Near Altamont Sunday

Fire did significant damage to a semi tractor-trailer combination along I-70 eastbound between Altamont and Effingham on Sunday morning.

Altamont firefighters were called to the scene three to four miles east of Altamont about 9:15am. 

Altamont Fire Chief Jon Becker said the fire began in the rear drive axles, maybe due to a bearing failure. Becker said the heat from the fire was intense, perhaps fueled by the grease in the load of frozen food in the semi trailer. He said fire crews would knock the fire down, then it would flare back up. 

Initially, both eastbound lanes were closed, but fire crews eventually got the fire enough under control to re-open one lane. Becker said there was heat and smoke damage throughout the trailer.

Firefighters from St. Elmo drove onto the frontage road to attack the fire from the side and that helped bring the fire in check. Crews from Shumway and Tri-County at Beecher City also assisted at the scene, along with Illinois State Police, RuralMed and A-1 Ambulance. Brownstown firefighters were called to staff the Altamont station in case of another fire call.

Becker said one Altamont firefighters was injured at the scene. He was checked out at HSHS St. Anthony's Memorial Hospital in Effingham, then released.

Fire crews had cleared the scene by about 1pm.