Truck Hauling Diesel Burns; Fire Restricted to Cab

A fire consumed the cab of a semi-truck hauling 8,300 gallons of diesel this morning but firefighters were able to prevent the spread of flames to the trailer carrying the fuel.

The truck was located off the northbound lane of Highway 19 in the area of the 32-mile marker, located between Kukaiau and Ookala.

Both lanes of the highway were closed temporarily. One lane was later opened, and by around 7 a.m. normal traffic had resumed.

Personnel from the Honoka`a Fire Station arriving at the scene at 3:47 a.m. found the driver had escaped from the truck’s cab which was engulfed in flames.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the cab and cool the trailer.

The cab of the truck owned by C & F Trucking was a total loss but the trailer sustained only minimal damage, a department spokesman said.

Damage was estimated at $40,000.

No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.