Eggcellent response
Photo by WSCF LOCAL 2034/ Fire crews from Shoshone County Fire District No. 2 mop up the scene of a semi-truck trailer fire on Monday that fried a good amount the eggs that it was carrying.
Photo by Mt_Top/ Traffic backs up on I-90 as emergency crews scramble to extinguish the burning semi-truck.
PINEHURST – Other than some cracked shells and broken yokes, no injuries were reported after a semi-truck hauling a trailer full of eggs caught on fire Monday afternoon.
Shoshone County Fire District No. 2 firefighter Nick Waites reports that emergency crews were toned out to the scene on westbound I-90 at Milepost 45, near the Pinehurst exit, at approximately 6:55 p.m.
Because the fire had caused a full traffic stoppage in westbound both lanes, the first fire engine was forced to reach the scene by using the I-90 off-ramp and travel east in the westbound lane.
Upon arrival at 7:01 p.m., SCFD No. 2 crews were greeted with a roaring fire originating from what appeared to be the driver side wheel well of a semi-truck trailer. The trailer, which had already been disconnected from the cab of the truck before crews arrived, was found to be filled front-to-back with 36,000 pounds of eggs.
While firefighters extinguished the fire with a single hose line, Troopers with Idaho State Police provided traffic control.
Once the fire was under control, fire crews moved their engines to open up a single lane of traffic and alleviate congestion.
While smoke did fill the entire container, much of the egg shipment was saved, as flames only affected the rear of the trailer.
It is unknown as to what caused the fire at this time, but the driver of the semi-truck was unharmed in the incident.
SCFD No. 2 Chief Mark Aamodt was pleased with the speedy response of his crew from the Pinehurst station, who were the first ones on scene.