(La Porte County, IN) - A semi trailer wound up engulfed by flames on Friday morning in La Porte County.

 

La Porte County Police said that around 2:00 AM, the westbound driver was looking in his mirror when he noticed sparks coming from the rear of his tandem trailers on U.S. 20 while approaching Range Road.  The driver told investigators he pulled onto the shoulder and stepped out of his rig then heard a “loud explosion,” police said.

 

Flames were coming from the rear of the trailer.  Police said the driver disconnected the trailer and pulled the tractor about 100 feet away.  Volunteers with the Springfield Township and Kankakee Township fire departments put out the flames.

 

Police said the cause was from the back tires on the trailer catching fire while traveling. Typically, such fires are created when tires lock up while moving and generate enough heat to ignite.

 

The driver provided a list of items in the trailer which did not show any hazardous materials, police said.  Kankakee Township Fire Chief Zach Rasiuk said the trailer contained a non-flammable powder substance.