[Press Release] : Falling mattress in roadway results in tractor trailer fire on I-70

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Battalion Chief Gary L. Warren, Jr. - (573) 874-7644 office

Falling mattress in roadway results in tractor trailer fire on I-70

COLUMBIA, MO (February 16, 2006) -- On Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 6:23
p.m., units of the Columbia Fire Department responded to a report of a
vehicle fire near the 124 mile marker of I-70 westbound. While
responding, units could see fire visible from Stadium Boulevard near the
I-70 overpass.

Upon arrival, initial responding units requested additional Columbia
Fire apparatus, as well as two Boone County fire tankers. Units on the
scene included four rescue engines, one ladder truck, the hazardous
materials truck (and trailer), the investigation unit and the foam truck
all from Columbia Fire Department. Boone County Fire Protection District
provided the two tanker trucks (for water supply). 

Firefighters on the scene used foam concentrate along with
pre-connected hose lines to extinguish the tractor trailer and its
contents. Fire fighting activities during the incident caused traffic to
back up on I-70 westbound from west of the Stadium Boulevard overpass
for several miles. The interstate was blocked to thru traffic for over
an hour and a half. 

Other activities performed by firefighters on the scene included using
absorbent materials, as well as damming, to contain fuel and water
runoff. The timely actions of the firefighters on the scene kept the
contaminants from getting in any streams or other water sources. 

When interviewed, the driver stated that while driving in the passing
lane of westbound I-70 near the 127 mile marker, a mattress flew out of
the back of a small blue pick up truck into the passing lane. Not having
a choice the driver drove over the mattress. After inspecting the
tractor trailer the driver then tried to proceed to a truck stop,
unaware that the mattress was lodged under the right rear duel tires of
the truck. While en route to the truck stop, a passing motorist informed
the drive that the truck was on fire.

The truck driver pulled over and tried to extinguish the truck with an
extinguisher, but was unsuccessful. The driver then tried to separate
the truck from the trailer and was again unsuccessful. Left with no
other options the driver returned to the cab and removed her two cats
and fled from the burning truck. There were no injuries to the driver or
the two cats as a result of the incident.

Fire investigators on the scene determined that the fire was caused by
the mattress being lodged under the right rear duel tires of the truck
itself. The mattress caught on fire while being dragged down westbound
I-70 resulting in the tractor trailer catching fire. Initial damage
estimates to the tractor trailer and its contents are approximately
$500,000.

- 30 -
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