Tractor-trailer destroyed by fire
Happened at Exit 19
A tractor-trailer was practically unrecognizable after catching fire at Interstate 77's Exit 19 Tuesday after 2 p.m.
Hillsville Fire, Carroll Fire-Rescue, Barren Springs Fire and Laurel Rescue Squad responded to the scene.
Though there was a report of a fuel tank exploding, Hillsville Fire Department's David Young said that was actually a tire.
The driver of the rig, Leonard Franklin from Louisana, told emergency officials that he pulled his 1997 International tractor-trailer over after hit front left brake got hot and started smoking and called for help, Young said. The truck was hauling a load of plastic pipes at the time.
Firefighters remained on scene after putting out the blaze to clean up fuel, Young said. He estimated a spill from the truck's ruptured tanks could have been as much as 200 gallons.
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