By Debbie Hall
Fire crews and other public safety personnel responded to a tractor trailer fire around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24. The incident occurred on U.S. 58, near the intersection of U.S. 58 and Midway Drive.
Initially, two people responded with fire extinguishers, but the blaze was too hot and could not be contained, according to reports on social media.
Fire crews from the Patrick Springs and Moorefield Store volunteer fire departments arrived at the scene to find fire showing in the front of the trailer and the rear of the truck. Firefighters quickly determined that the vehicle was going up in flames and a large amount of water was needed to contain the blaze.
Initial crews were told the truck was hauling paper products. It was determined the truck was hauling containers of tiki torch fuel.
Water supply was an initial issue because the closest water point was 6-miles from the scene, according to reports. That distance forced a tanker/shuttle operation, which allowed the fire to gain momentum with the volatile fuel load.
County-wide tankers and manpower were requested, along with companies from Henry County.
More than 75 firefighters responded from Patrick and Henry counties, in addition to rescue squad volunteers.
No injuries were reported from the driver, but a few firefighters suffered minor heat exhaustion episodes, according to reports.
Fire crews remained at the scene until around 3 a.m. Thursday, according to reports.
Units responding included Stuart Volunteer Fire Department, Horsepasture Volunteer Fire Department, Ridgeway District Volunteer Fire Department, Patrick-Henry Volunteer Fire Department Fieldale-Collinsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, Inc., Collinsville Volunteer Fire Department, Axton Community Volunteer Fire Department, Henry County Department of Public Safety, Ararat Volunteer Fire Department, CCDF Fire and Rescue, Fairystone Volunteer Fire Department, Patrick Springs Volunteer Fire Department, Meadows of Dan Volunteer Fire Department, Moorefield Store Community VFD, Smith River Rescue Squad, Jeb Stuart Rescue Squad, Virginia State Police, Patrick County Sheriff’s Office, Patrick County Fire & EMS, Fulp’s Environmental Inc., Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Emergency Management.
Other key organizations that provided supplies were Walmart Stuart – Jeb Stuart Hwy, Little Caesars Pizza, Stuart Clark Gas & Oil, Helms Septic Service, Handy Rentals, Inc.
