Chuck Trim of New Iberia was operating this 2008 Freightliner Saturday, Feb. 23 around 12:30 p.m. when he noticed smoke coming from the smoke stacks. Trim was traveling south on I-49 about 8 miles north of Natchitoches at the time. He told officers he stopped and checked the rig then continued driving.
He again noticed smoke about 2 miles from exit 138 to Natchitoches and exited the interstate. Flames were visible by the time he stopped at the Chevron station according to Trim. He told officers he attempted to extinguish the flames with an extinguisher but was not successful. NPD, LSP, NPH and Natchitoches Fire Dept. responded. No injuries were reported.
Natchitoches Fire Chief John Wynn provided the following information: Central Fire Station received a call reporting an 18 wheeled truck on fire at the Chevron near I-49 and University Parkway. Engine 1, Engine 3, Rescue 1 and Chief-2 were dispatched to the scene. Upon arrival fire department personnel found a freight vehicle with an empty flatbed trailer on fire with the flames coming from the engine compartment and cab with no trailer involvement. A pre-connected hose line was used from the first arriving engine to extinguish the fire. The occupant had exited the vehicle before fire department personnel arrived. There were no reported injuries.
Photo courtesy NPSO.
