Aurora firefighters work to clean up the area after extinguishing a fire inside a tractor-trailer filled with wood chips Dec. 30, 2024. PHOTO VIA AURORA FIRE AND RESCUE 
Aurora firefighters work to clean up the area after extinguishing a fire inside a tractor-trailer filled with wood chips Dec. 30, 2024. PHOTO VIA AURORA FIRE AND RESCUE
AURORA | Aurora firefighters Monday morning snuffed out a blazing fire in a semi-tractor truck trailer filled with wood chips and kept it from spreading to diesel tanks.
There were no injuries reported from the fire.
Firefighters were called to E-470 near East 38th Avenue at about 10:30 a.m. after reports of a truck on fire.
“Crews encountered a multi-purpose semi-trailer carrying wood chips that was fully engulfed in flames,” said Shannon Hardi, Aurora Fire and Rescue spokesperson.
The truck driver told firefighters he had pulled over his rig to check on a likely flat tire, and soon saw that the suspected wheel was on fire.
The fire apparently spread to the wood chips in the truck trailer.
The first engine on the call had limited water, officials said. With no nearby hydrants, firefighters had to have specialized water trucks rush to the scene.
Hazmat teams were able to empty the truck’s diesel fuel tanks, pulling about 50 gallons of diesel without further incident as the burning trailer was extinguished.
E-470 highway officials were left to clean up the area, and some lanes were closed for hours during the process.
I drove NB shortly after the fire was put out and all SB lanes closed. Well done, AFR!
Why empty the tractor’s (truck’s) fuel tanks?
Could not disconnect and drive the truck well forward to safety?
Sorry thathe trucker did not haul his trailer off E-470 to a frontage or otheroad.
Was Sable Altura Fire Department’s 2,500-gallon Tender requested to supplyvater athe scene?