A semi-truck transporting a significant load of margarine became engulfed in flames on Michigan's I-69 late Wednesday night. According to ClickOnDetroit, the Bath Township Fire Department was called to assist DeWitt Township fire officials after the vehicle caught fire just west of Chandler Road.
The incident, which unfolded around 11:50 p.m., saw firefighters respond quickly to douse the blaze which, by all indications, had been sparked by a flaw in the braking system. The driver, who had managed to safely detach the trailer before authorities arrived told the officials that he was carrying 42,000 pounds of margarine at the time of the incident. As a result of the fire, only one lane remained open in that stretch of I-69 westbound as the scene was cleaned up.
Further details from the Lansing State Journal indicate that the driver was alerted by another motorist that the back of his trailer was ablaze. After separating the burning trailer from the tractor, DeWitt Township Fire Chief Dave DeKorte said, "It was burning pretty good when we got there." Crews worked until approximately 4:30 a.m. to control the fire, which had consumed 17 pallets of margarine destined for a wholesale bakery in Hudsonville from Canada.
While there were no injuries reported from the fiery scene, the event did cause significant disruption on the highway. An investigation is still ongoing to ascertain the exact reasons behind the fire, which has not yet been clarified according to MLive. Their report noted that the fire began at about 11:45 p.m. and although the driver succeeded in just raising the trailer, significant damage was inflicted upon it during the fire.
