The driver of a tractor-trailer was sent to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation after his truck caught fire on the Trans-Canada Highway near Foxtrap.
The call came in just before 8 a.m. and when firefighters from the Mount Pearl station of the St. John’s Regional Fire Department arrived on scene, the truck and trailer were engulfed in flames. Due to the size of the blaze and lack of water supply in the area, a second engine as well as a tanker truck from the Paradise station was called in to assist in battling the fire.
One officer on scene told the Telegram that seconds after he arrived on scene, the truck exploded, presumably when one or both fuel tanks on the vehicle ruptured.
Smoke from the incident could be seen from several kilometres away.
It took about thirty minutes to bring the fire under control.
Both westbound lanes of the highway were closed until the scene could be cleared enough to let traffic through the area.
No information was available as to how serious the injuries were to the driver.
Keith Gosse is a photojournalist covering breaking news in the St. John’s metro area.
@TelyPhotoGosse
