Alberta - Transport Truck Fire

[Jay911]

Sorry Malahat, RspctFrmCalgary, etc... no Cheerios this week...

Firefighters from Redwood Meadows (1 pump, 1 tank), Calgary (1 pump, 1 tank), and Rocky View (1 pump) responded to a semi-truck on fire Thursday afternoon just west of Calgary on Highway 8.

Initially thought to be closer to Calgary, #20 Pump from Calgary and #50 Tank from Redwood Meadows were dispatched. Upon arrival 2 minutes from their station, #50 Tank declared a fully involved semi-truck and requested additional help.

#50 Pump joined their tanker, #29 Tank was sent from Calgary, and #71 Pump came from the Springbank station of the Municipal District of Rocky View.

The fire was knocked down fairly quickly with handlines and a Blitzfire monitor, all flowing AFFF. The cargo was 40,000+ lbs of groceries bound for British Columbia - mainly Cheerios, Duncan Hines cake mix, whipped frosting, granola bars, fruit roll-ups, salsa, and canned corn.

The truck, trailer, and load is a total loss.

Tow companies and highway crews assisted with cleanup until well past 1am. The tractor and front part of the trailer were removed by one flatbed truck, then part of the load was transferred into two 30-yard cleanpak dumpsters. The remainder of the trailer and its load were taken away on another flatbed.

No one was injured, but the road was burned rather significantly.

It's suspected that a blown turbo or other engine problem was the origin.

Photos:

[Jay911]

[Jay911]