JOHNSON COUNTY —Authorities are investigating the cause of a semi fire that shut down a portion of the interstate on Saturday.
Just after 7 p.m., Fire District #1 Of Johnson County was dispatched to a vehicle fire in the area of Southbound Interstate 35 just South of Homestead Lane in Edgerton, Kansas, according to a media release.
The dispatch center received multiple calls stating that a semi was on fire.While units were responding, a column of smoke could be seen. Units arrived on the scene to find the semi fully involved with fire while the attached trailer was beginning to catch fire.
A small area of grass near the involved semi also caught fire which was quickly contained.The occupants of the semi were able to get out of the vehicle safely and unharmed.
The semi is deemed a total loss while the attached trailer received fire and smoke damage. The attached trailer had no hazardous materials on board and was only carrying meat.
During the incident, the Southbound lanes of I-35 were closed momentarily to provide a safe working environment for crews. Once the fire was contained, one lane was opened to allow traffic through.