Traffic was disrupted for about eight hours Monday morning after a tractor-trailer carrying a load of sausage patties caught fire at a busy intersection in Cumming.
Forsyth County Fire Capt. Jason Shivers said no one was injured in the blaze, which happened about 3:45 a.m. at Hwys. 9 and 20 (Buford Highway). Firefighters put out the fire in about 60 seconds.
Shivers said the truck was coming from Ga. 400 and the driver discovered it was on fire while he waiting to turn left at the traffic light.
“The fire started around the rear axles,” he said. “It appears likely as the result of a brake fire.”
The truck was en route to a local meat packaging company, though Shivers did not know which one.
Westbound traffic on Buford Highway was reduced to one lane while public safety officials handled the scene.
The road was cleared by about noon, Shivers said.
He said the truck’s entire load was ruined, with sausage patties spilling out once the flames reached the truck’s body.
The driver was able to disconnect his tractor before the blaze spread.
At the request of the state Department of Transportation, Shivers said firefighters waited until the trailer was moved to a nearby parking lot to wash debris, meat and grease off the road.
He explained that most of the truck’s tires burned or exploded and had to be replaced before it could be moved.
Forsyth County Fire Capt. Jason Shivers said no one was injured in the blaze, which happened about 3:45 a.m. at Hwys. 9 and 20 (Buford Highway). Firefighters put out the fire in about 60 seconds.
Shivers said the truck was coming from Ga. 400 and the driver discovered it was on fire while he waiting to turn left at the traffic light.
“The fire started around the rear axles,” he said. “It appears likely as the result of a brake fire.”
The truck was en route to a local meat packaging company, though Shivers did not know which one.
Westbound traffic on Buford Highway was reduced to one lane while public safety officials handled the scene.
The road was cleared by about noon, Shivers said.
He said the truck’s entire load was ruined, with sausage patties spilling out once the flames reached the truck’s body.
The driver was able to disconnect his tractor before the blaze spread.
At the request of the state Department of Transportation, Shivers said firefighters waited until the trailer was moved to a nearby parking lot to wash debris, meat and grease off the road.
He explained that most of the truck’s tires burned or exploded and had to be replaced before it could be moved.
