Cook Springs Volunteer Fire Department Chief Howard Downs said the rig was fully involved by the time firefighters arrived on the scene.
He said the fire was reported at about 9:20 p.m. The vehicle fire was along the eastbound lane of I-20 at the 149 marker.
Downs said firefighters had a difficult time reaching the blaze.
“It didn’t take us long to put out the fire once we got on the scene,” he said.
Downs said traffic was at a standstill in the eastbound lane of I-20, and the first fire engine to respond got stuck in traffic.
He said the second truck went down U.S. 78 to the Chula Vista exit and traveled back along the westbound lane of I-20 to reach the blaze.
“We had to pass the hose over the wall,” Downs said.
He said traffic in the eastbound lane was stopped 2-3 hours, and firefighters remained on the scene until about 3 a.m. Thursday cleaning up debris.
“What can I say, this is Talladega race weekend,” Downs said.
He said the cause of the fire is unknown, and nobody was injured.
The truck and trailer were destroyed by the fire, Downs said.
