District Four Fire Chief Keith Burkert reporting Cincinnati Firefighters responded to a semi truck fire this afternoon. The Owner/Operator Michael Banks of Cincinnati, Ohio was south bound on Interstate 71 when he heard a “pop” from the front right side of his 1999 Freightliner truck.

Soon after, he noticed smoke and pulled his rig onto the right hand shoulder. There was fire under the right side of his truck and the entire tractor was soon engulfed in flames. Eyewitness accounts confirm that the right front tire blew out and caught fire.

Additional firefighters were requested to bring foam and a water supply from the Lincoln Avenue overpass onto the expressway. Traffic was shut down on south bound I71 for nearly two hours.

Firefighters contained the fire to the tractor and it was a total loss, estimated at $50,000. There was minimal damage to the trailer and no damage to its contents.

There were no injuries.

For additional information contact District Chief Keith Burkert at (513) 352-2344.