Lieutenant Kevin Hawkins said it is unclear how the fire started. He said the driver reported he heard a boom and then the truck lost power. The driver exited the cab and discovered a fire underneath.
Firefighters arrived shortly before 1:15 p.m. on the northbound lane of Interstate 95 around the 173.5 mile marker. Along the way they received a call the cab was engulfed.
Firefighters witnessed heavy smoke and flames coming from the cab when they arrived.
Hawkins said firefighters put the fire out as quickly as possible. The fire had burned the aluminum tops of the fuel cells off. “We were lucky we got there to prevent much of the fuel from spilling.”
The state Department of Transportation put down sand to sop up what diesel fuel had spilled.
The cab was a total loss, however, firefighters saved the load of vinyl fence posts being hauled on the open flatbed trailer. “That will burn just liked fuel,” Hawkins said.
The state Highway Patrol, Roanoke Rapids Police Department and Halifax EMS also responded to the scene.
