The back trailer of a double tractor trailer carrying Doritos caught fire in the westbound lane of Highway 401 near Mallorytown on Wednesday morning.
There are no reports of any major injuries. The driver of the Doritos truck was seen on the side of the highway speaking with police.
According to Glen Coones, a driver who was stuck behind the accident, the driver was able to quickly detach the front trailer from the second car of what truck drivers refer to as a “road-train.”
Coones, a truck driver himself, said that the driver’s quick thinking could have saved the fire from spreading to the fuel tank in the front of the truck.
Front of Yonge Township fire chief Greg Halladay says the accident happened around 7:40 a.m. Wednesday morning. Halladay says the fire was a bit tricky for firefighters due to the contents of the truck — the Doritos chips, oil and boxes ignited quickly, and the trailer itself was made of wood, which Halladay said would be easy to ignite.
Halladay added that some of the aluminum walls had collapsed, falling on top of the fire, which meant firefighters had to pull parts of the aluminum back to get at the fire.
According to the fire chief, the fire was under control in about 25 min, and a dozen firefighters were on the scene for another hour or so.
Halladay said the fire originated in the running gear. He said sometimes a soft tire, a bearing or a brake can overheat and start a fire.
OPP have opened the left lane near the accident in order to let people pass.
As of right now, there are no other details, but expect delays on Highway 401 going westbound.
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