Buchanan, Tenn.–Thanks to the help of a passing motorist, the driver of a log truck that caught on fire Tuesday afternoon escaped injury. The cab of the truck was destroyed.
The Paris Landing Volunteer Fire Department and Henry County Sheriff’s Office were called to 15000 Hwy. 79N in Buchanan around 12:30 p.m. today on a report of a log truck on fire.
Fire Chief Reggie Coles said arriving units found the cab of the semi truck carrying a load of logs totally engulfed in flames .
Driver Thurman Atkins said he was driving and heard a popping sound and pulled over to see what was wrong. As he came to a stop the engine compartment erupted in flames and quickly spread into the cab.
A passing motorist stopped and helped the driver escape from the truck, Coles said.
The truck is owned by Mike Baker Trucking of Salem, Indiana. A fuel leak is the suspected cause. Damage is estimated at $50,000. Paris Landing had two trucks and eight firefighters on the scene for one hour. Paris Fire Department sent one truck and two personnel for mutual aid. Paris Landing State Park Rangers were also on the scene.
Photo by Reggie Coles.
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