Published: November 07, 2009 01:09 am      

Semi-truck fire closes down part of U.S. 40 west of Effingham

An electrical issue in the sleeper portion of a semi-truck parked in a structure at 2001 W. National Ave. in Effingham is believed to have led to a fire that shut down westbound U.S. 40 heading toward Funkhouser for more than an hour Friday afternoon.

According Effingham Fire Chief Joe Holomy, when fire personnel arrived on scene at approximately 1:10 p.m., deep black smoke was lofting out of the building. That indicated there was an advanced fire in the building.

Fire trucks sprayed water from the east and west of the building owned by Tri-Power Towing to combat flames.

With a semi burning in the building and oxygen and acetylene tanks posing a risk of explosion, firefighters went into action, said Holomy.

“Once we were satisfied there was no direct flame in contact with the tanks, firefighters entered the building,” said Holomy.

Spraying the tanks to keep them cool, two crews totaling six firefighters entered the fire with 2 1/2-inch “attack lines,” according to Holomy.

Rusty Howes of Funkhouser said he saw flames and smoke coming off a semi in the west bay as he passed by on the highway. He pulled into the parking lot as a man ran out of the building.

“When I pulled in, the truck was the only thing I saw on fire,” said Howes. “The whole truck, tires and all, was burning.”

According to Holomy, there was substantial structural damage to steel beams in the ceiling above the semi. Due to the efforts of fire personnel, however, the majority of the building only received smoke damage, said Holomy.

No damage estimate was available at presstime. Effingham police and Illinois Department of Transportation personnel closed the highway for the duration of the fire and reopened the roadway at 2:02 p.m. Firefighters remained on scene until 2:26 p.m.

Personnel from surrounding fire departments manned Effingham stations during the fire.

Tony Huffman can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 135 or tony.huffman

@effinghamdailynews.com