KCEN-TV, KCEN-HD, Waco, Temple, Killeen, Bryan, Texas18-Wheeler catches fire in Temple
An 18-wheeler caught fire near Temple Wednesday around 4 a.m.
It happened on Hwy 36 in front of the old Pioneer Ballroom.
Investigators say the semi hit a concrete barrier and then caught fire.
The accident scene quickly became a hazmat site.
Temple Firefighter Thomas Pechal says, "We have a number of things involved. The driver was carrying a number of hardware-type items. A refrigerator, water heaters. The fuel in the saddle tanks- the diesel. The vehicle itself- rubber, plastic, fiberglass. Once it gets hot enough to ignite you have a lot of fuel."
The driver, a 48-year-old male from Houston did manage to get out of the vehicle safely, but was taken to Scott & White Hospital with minor burns on his arms and legs.
The initial investigation has revealed that the driver lost control while driving Westbound on Hwy 36, then lost control of the vehicle and struck a crash barricade in the construction zone. The vehicle traveled 560 feet along a concrete wall, then caught fire before coming to rest.
Police are still investigating what caused the driver to lose control.
Traffic was finally open again ten hours later, around 2 p.m.
