Interstate 70 semi fire wreaks havoc on morning commute

Monday, March 11, 2019
A box trailer full of Tyson chicken, being shipped from Arkansas, is engulfed in flames Monday morning along Interstate 70 in Clay County.
Indiana State Police

BRAZIL -- Monday morning about 5:30, Indiana State Police and Posey Township Fire Department responded to a tractor-trailer fire on Interstate 70 eastbound, near the 17-mile marker, west of Brazil in Clay County.

Preliminary investigation revealed a 2016 Kenworth tractor, pulling a box trailer full of Tyson chicken from Springdale, Ark., was being driven by Michael J. Baniel, 47, of Montgomery, Ala.

Baniel was eastbound on Interstate 70 near the 17-mile marker when he heard a tire explode on his trailer, Indiana State Police at Putnamville reported.

Baniel immediately pulled the tractor-trailer over onto the emergency lane of I-70 to inspect for mechanical issues. Upon exiting his tractor, the driver observed flames coming from the rear tandems of the trailer. Baniel immediately grabbed his fire extinguisher and attempted to put out the fire, but was unsuccessful.

At that time, the semi driver disengaged the tractor from the trailer and drove it a safe distance from the burning fire. He then called 911 and waited for the fire department to arrive.

Interstate 70 eastbound was shut down for approximately one hour while the fire was being extinguished. Once the fire was extinguished, the interstate was reopened with traffic reduced down to one lane.

Poor Boys Towing Service was then contracted by Tyson Food Service for the clean up.

All lanes of Interstate 70 eastbound were reopened at approximately 11 a.m.

The fire was investigated by ISP Sgt. Matt Ames. Assisting were ISP Master Trooper Hans Novak, Posey Township Fire Department, Vigo County Sheriff's Department and Indiana Department of Transportation personnel.

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