The rear brakes on the cab of a semi truck locked up and started a fire that destroyed both the cab and trailer of the semi as it was traveling on southbound I-57 south of the Kinmundy exit.
Kinmundy-Alma Fire Chief Kevin Day says both the cab and trailer were engulfed in flames when the fire department arrived on the scene around ten Saturday night.
The driver was able to get to the shoulder of the interstate and got out of the vehicle safely.
The truck was registered in Canada and was hauling dessert products. They all remained inside the charred trailer.
Salem Firemen were called to bring a tanker of water to the scene.
Kinmundy-Alma Firemen remained on the scene until three Monday morning. I-57 southbound was shut down for about an hour and a half during the firefighting effort with traffic diverted onto Route 37 from Kinmundy to Salem.
