ISLAND FALLS, Maine — A tractor-trailer hauling beer caught fire in Island Falls Monday night, leading to an approximately two-hour shutdown on Interstate 95 in the area.
Maine State Police responded to the fire at southbound mile marker 277 around 7 p.m., Maine Department of Public Safety spokesperson Shannon Moss said in a news release.
The tractor-trailer had a blown inner passenger tire, causing a fire to spark in the rear passenger side of the trailer, the release stated.
The driver, Sahil Pal, 23, of Dieppe, New Brunswick, and his passenger pulled over and tried to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher but they weren't able to do so, Moss said. The flames quickly spread inside the trailer and it became fully involved, according to the release. Pal was able to separate the tractor unit from the trailer before the fire reached the front of the trailer.
The Island Falls and Oakland fire departments responded and put the fire out. The Maine Department of Transportation and Westerdahls Towing assisted at the scene.
As of Tuesday morning, Moss said there was still debris near the roadway. She said state police are encouraging drivers to use caution when traveling in the area.
Moss did not specify the type of beer the tractor-trailer was carrying.
