Alton, Iowa — A semi tanker trailer was destroyed in a fire on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, near Alton.
According to Alton Fire Chief Quintin Van Es, about 4:00 p.m., the Alton Fire Department was called to the report of a truck on fire about a mile south of Alton on Highway 60 southbound.
The chief says the fire department saw all four wheels were on fire on the trailer as they approached the scene. He says the driver had disengaged the tractor from the trailer so the tractor did not catch fire.
Van Es says no injuries were reported.
He says the cause of the fire appeared to be a loss of air pressure, causing the air brakes to come on. Friction then started the fire, he surmises.
Chief Van Es reports that the tanker trailer was probably totaled in the blaze. He says the skin on the rear of the tank was deteriorated, but the tank did not rupture. He says the semi was a milk hauler.
Van Es tells us the 12 firefighters who responded were on the scene for about an hour and 45 minutes.
He says the fire department was assisted by the Alton Ambulance Squad, Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, and the Iowa State Patrol.
