Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department’s Engine 1 and Rescue 2 responded to a tractor trailer on fire in the eastbound lanes of I-24 at Mile Marker 87 around 1:45 Wednesday afternoon.
Although this stretch of interstate is in the county, MFRD’s assistance was requested because Rutherford County Fire and Rescue was battling a structural fire at another location.
In route to the call, units saw heavy black smoke. When they arrived on scene, they discovered the tractor and trailer of an 18-wheeler fully involved with flames. The truck was hauling food and other dried goods.
Crews were able to use a recently purchased spear nozzle to penetrate the roof of the tractor, allowing easy access to the fire. “We put these nozzles on all of our units for the purpose of attacking these type fires on the interstate,” said Shift Commander Dale Maynard.
According to Maynard, it did not take long to get the major fire knocked down, but water supply was initially an issue. “We have the county’s brand new 3,000 gallon tanker on site now,” he said. “At this time the fire is out and we are extinguishing hotspots.”
The driver of the tractor trailer was not injured.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol is on scene investigating the incident. Both eastbound lanes will be closed until further notice.