Lake County-A semi tanker caught fire yesterday, evening, causing the interstate to be closed for approximately thirty minutes.
Preliminary investigation by Sergeant Scott Krueger revealed, at approximately 5:30 p.m., yesterday, June 16, 2016, west bound on I-80/84 at the 7.4 mile marker (this is approximately 1 ½ miles east of Burr Street) a 2013 Peterbilt semi pulling a tanker trailer, was in the right middle lane when the driver heard a pop. The driver, Michael W. Soebbing, 58 of Montana, stated when he heard the pop he pulled his semi over to the outer shoulder and got out to look. That is when he noticed the passenger side drive tires were on fire.
Soebbing tried to put the fire out with his fire extinguisher but could not. He then tried to lower the landing gear of the trailer to pull the tractor away, but by then the fire was too big.
The tanker trailer was loaded with 77,000 pounds of motor oil, thankfully it did not catch fire. The tractor, owned by Veneia Transport Service out of Pennsylvania, was a complete loss.
The interstate was closed for approximately ½ hour to put the fire pout and the two right lanes were closed for approximately two hours for clean-up and removal of the vehicles.
Agencies assisting: Gary Fire Department, Hoosier Helpers, and Bert’s Towing
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Picture is of the semi/tanker fire
