The "8000-gallon" tanker was reportedly nearly empty of diesel fuel in it's rear delivery compartment- and the rear of the trailer was heavily-involved in flames when the first fire crews arrived at 2:24 a.m..
The front compartment of the tanker-trailer had held gasoline- according to the truck's driver who was not hurt.
Additional fire companies- Haz-Mat-71 and a fire department "foam tanker" also responded to this scene.
A fire pumper's turret (deck gun) was initially used on the fire which did get into the tanker-trailer's fuel compartment.
That company was moved after knocking most of the fire down- and water supply was brought to a ladder truck for a safer-to-position aerial stream.
The fire was reported out at 2:49 a.m. with no explosion and no injuries.
Both directions of U.S. 71 between 75th and 85th Streets were closed to traffic.
Southbound re-opened around 3:20 a.m. and northbound opened again around 4:35 a.m..
2 YOUR COMMENT(S):
I still can't believe I am lucky enough to still have my husband alive. He was the driver.
Thank The Great Spirit for miracles.
Did your husband have an idea how the tanker-trailer caught fire in the first place?
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