By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor
LINCOLN COUNTY – A semi-trailer fire shut down Highway 51 northbound for about two hours early Wednesday morning.
According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, deputies responded to a report of a semi-trailer on fire on Highway 51 northbound, about ½ mile north of County Road Q. When deputies arrived, they found the trailer engulfed in flames. The driver of the semi-tractor reported that a tire on the trailer caught fire, and that the blaze spread to the trailer when he stopped. He was able to detach the trailer from the truck to prevent further loss.
The Pine River Fire Department was dispatched at approximately 2:42 a.m., and arrived on the scene to extinguish the fire at about 3:04 a.m. The Town of Russell Volunteer Fire Department also responded to assist, and the fire was successfully contained and eliminated.
The driver of the truck was not injured.
Rod’s Wrecker Towing Service removed the trailer from the scene, which was a total loss due to fire and water damage.
Highway 51 northbound was shut down during the incident, and traffic was re-routed. The roadway was reopened around 5:10 a.m.