Pro-Enviro offers 24-hour emergency spill response services, often arriving at the scene of an accident. We frequently handle oil and diesel spills caused by accidents, but sometimes, we are called to the scene of a semi-truck fire. These jobs require careful and extensive cleanup and truck fire recovery services.
What Causes Semi-Truck Fires?
Defective parts and poor truck maintenance are common causes of truck and trailer fires. For example, faulty wiring, defective brakes and wheel bearings, air leaks, and blown-out tires can all catch fire and spread quickly.
In addition, electrical shorts in the engine compartment can cause a fire. Because of how complex a truck’s electrical system is, a short circuit will continue until the batteries are disconnected. Meanwhile, it could overheat and cause nearby parts, like diesel hoses, to catch fire.
Unfortunately, truck accidents can also cause fires. If a semi-truck rolls or jackknives and the fuel system is damaged, it can ignite.
Driver Safety
Drivers should be on alert for overheating. Always watch the temperature gauge and check the mirrors for smoke from the wheels or brakes and any smoke from under the hood. If you suspect an issue, pull over immediately and call 911. If you can do so safely, use your fire extinguisher to extinguish flames. If your tires are on fire, throw sand or dirt on them until help arrives.
Do not open the hood if you suspect an engine fire. Allowing airflow could make it worse. The same goes for fires inside your trailer. If this is the case, keep your distance and wait for emergency services to arrive.
Safe Vehicle Fire Recovery
Fires can cause safety issues and environmental hazards. Once the danger is cleared, Team Pro-Tow can start truck fire recovery. We arrive with specialized equipment to safely remove debris, burned and hazardous materials. Once given the go-ahead, our Pro-Tow division will remove the casualty from the scene and tow it to an approved and secure location.
Part of vehicle fire recovery is dealing with fluids and potential contaminants. Diesel fuel, oil, coolant, spilled and burnt cargo, and other burnt materials must be safely and effectively cleaned up. We must also protect storm drains and waterways and ensure all contaminated soil is removed and replaced.
Unfortunately, we have experience with semi-truck fires and their aftermath. You can view more incident reports and photos and learn how we handle truck fire recovery here.
