18 wheeler enters the Italy city limits engulfed in flames

Barry Byers Posted Fire and Emergency
Image: Local fire departments begin to extinguish a burning 18 wheeler after it came to a stop just past David’s Supermarket on Highway 34 in Italy.

Local fire departments begin to extinguish a burning 18 wheeler after it came to a stop just past David’s Supermarket on Highway 34 in Italy. (Jessica Clark/McGrawClark Photography)

Authorized by:
Chief Diron Hill
Italy Police Department

ITALY, Texas — On, Saturday, August 20th, 2011 at approximately 0811 hours, the Italy Police Department and Italy Fire Department responded to a fully engulfed 18 wheeler parked on HWY 34 near David’s Grocery.

The 18 Wheeler (owned by Jack Herod Trucking), loaded with hay and corn, was westbound on HWY 34 towards downtown Italy. Motorists observed burning hay falling from the flatbed trailer and allerted the driver who stopped the truck in a residential area on HWY 34.

Italy Fire Department, along with  personnel from Milford and Forreston, arrived on scene at 0817 hours and began estinguishing the fire. Several nearby residents were evacuated for safety precautions by the Italy PD.

The Ellis County SO and Texas Department of Transportation assisted with traffic control. All personnel were clear from the incident at 1323 hours. There was minor damage to the roadway due to the large fire.

The accident is being investigated by the Italy Police Department.

“In emergencies, Dial 911.”