Semi truck trailer hauling vehicles catches on fire on Interstate 80

DONIPHAN, Neb. (KSNB) - A large fire involving a semi-truck carrying several vehicles in its trailer was put out Monday morning along Interstate 80.

It happened around 2:45 a.m. on I-80 between the Hwy 281 interchange and the South Locust exit near Grand Island.

Doniphan Fire Chief Tyson Coble said the driver was heading eastbound on the interstate when he noticed something was wrong, pulled over and saw his trailer he was hauling was fire.

Coble said the driver unhooked the cab from the trailer so the fire didn’t spread to it.

When Doniphan firefighters arrived on scene, five of the seven wrecked vehicles on the trailer were on fire and were eventually destroyed.

Coble said the fire was caused by a wheel bearing that had gotten too hot, and hydraulics on the trailer fueled it.

Coble said they had to close traffic on I-80 for a brief time but worked to make sure that at least one lane was maintained while working on this scene.

Doniphan called for mutual aid with Grand Island Rural for more water. They were able to get the fire put out by 3:30 a.m.

No injuries were reported.