Photos by Tanya Rondon - South Bend Dairy truck burst into flames on Saturday.
On Saturday June 11, 2016 a South Bend Dairy truck caught fire on South bound I-5 at mile marker 76. The driver had just entered on to the freeway at exit 77 when this reporter and husband entered directly behind the truck.
After noticing smoke and fire coming from the bottom of the cab we successfully signalled the driver to pull over and out of his truck and were immediately on the phone with 911.
Chehalis Fire Engine 48-1, led by Captain Casey Beck, arrived quickly. By this time the entire cab of the truck was engulfed. By a sheer stroke of luck, the driver Wes Cusson, had just filled up on fuel and the fuel tanks did not explode. The truck itself was a total loss but the trailer was undamaged.
Due to quick thinking and response from emergency personnel a larger incident was averted. The road is two lanes in this area and cars were driving dangerously close to the fire which could have been deadly if responders had not reacted so quickly.