Brake lock-up probable cause of semi fire

More photos at bottom of story -
Jon Kinn, Bluffton fire chief, updated the Icon on details of last night’s semi-truck fire that took place in the Diamond Manufacturing parking lot on Jefferson Street.

The driver of the semi was on Interstate 75 when he was alerted by another semi driver that his rear wheels were smoking. That is often an indication that the trailer is experiencing a brake lock-up.

Kinn said that when the driver realized the problem he pulled off the interstate onto State Route 103.

The explosions heard throughout town, around 8:30 p.m., were the truck tire exploding, Kinn said. 

The truck was an Amazon semi and the contents were totally destroyed in the fire. No one was injured in the fire. Responding on the scene were Bluffton fire, EMS and police. While firefighters fought the blaze Jefferson Street was closed from County Line Road to the railroad.

All photos are by Tiffini Mitchell