On Friday, April 16, at approximately 11:41 a.m., the Perry Fire Department and Perry Police Department both responded to a burning vehicle on the off-ramp of I-75, Exit 136. The vehicle in question was a Stewart Stainless Supply, Inc. semi-truck.
As explained by Perry Fire Chief Lee Parker, “The tractor trailer we see here had a fire in the engine compartment. It overwhelmed the driver, so he had to pull over. The truck already had smoke in the cab, so he parked it [on the off ramp], and jumped out.”
The driver, John Carter, sustained mild smoke inhalation, but refused transportation to the hospital.
Perry Fire Department worked to put out the blaze, while the Perry Police department controlled traffic and made way for the fire department. It was further noted on the incident’s report that, “The diesel tanks on the semi-truck was melted and began leaking fuel into [the] drain. Approximately one gallon of fuel leaked into [the] drain before crews were able to set up a dam to contain fluids.”
After Perry Fire was able to extinguish the flames, the Warner Robins Wrecker Service pulled the truck away. Traffic was continuing normally, and all units were off the scene by 1:54 p.m.
HHJ News
