OCALA, Fla. – Sunday afternoon, Ocala firefighters worked to put out a blaze in a tractor trailer that caught fire on Interstate 74.
The fire was called in around 1:09 p.m. Sunday after the driver of a 2007 Kenworth tractor noticed smoke coming from the engine.
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The driver pulled over and tried to extinguish the fire himself, but the flames were too big.
The big rig, valued at $70,000, was separated from the trailer in an attempt to control the fire, but both were damaged, firefighters said.
The trailer contained corn meal which was being transported from Indiana to Miami. The fire is believed to have started in the tractor and extended into the trailer, firefighters said.
The vehicle fire also ignited a small grass fire. The incident was placed under control at 1:34 p.m, although firefighters remained on scene almost two hours. There were no injuries, firefighters said.
The fire happened at mile marker 448, approximately two miles south of State Route 200 in the southbound lanes
Firefighters said the Florida Highway Patrol had all three lanes blocked southbound, with one line of traffic being allowed to pass on the inside shoulder.
All lanes of Interstate 75 were re-opened Sunday afternoon.