News Tribune

Morning starts with semi fire for Ladd firefighters

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LADD — A car carrier trailer fire backed up traffic on Interstate 80 for miles near the Spring Valley exit Thursday morning.

Ladd Fire Department responded to the call around 6 a.m. to the semitrailer fire in the westbound lane of Interstate 80.

“The rear brakes of the trailer caught fire and it caught the rest of the trailer on fire,” said Ladd fire chief BJ Liebe. “The driver was able to detach the front half of the trailer.

But several cars in the back were damaged by flames and water was needed to extinguish the fire.

Liebe said there were no injuries.

Both westbound lanes were shut down during the fire and were still shut down as of 8:30 a.m. to clear the roadway. At times, motorists could bypass the scene by using off-ramps and on-ramps.

Senica Interstate Towing was called to help move the trailer. There also was a considerable amount of ice on the roadway from the water used to put out the fire.

Ladd was assisted by Spring Valley, Cherry and Peru fire departments. Peru hauled firefighting foam to the scene.

Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Transportation also responded. Spring Valley 10/33 Ambulance responded to help with firefighter rehabilitation at the scene.