National Guard Vehicle Fire Shut Down Traffic on I-74

DEARBORN COUNTY, IN -  Last Thursday morning, at approximately 9:45 a.m. the Indiana State Police Versailles Post received a report of a vehicle fire on westbound I-74 near the 170 mile marker.  When officers arrived on the scene they discovered a military vehicle was on fire. 

The investigation revealed a military truck (make and model unknown) pulling a trailer had caught fire.  According to the driver, Sgt. Charles Letner, 53, of Pataskala, OH, the trailer hadn't been used in some time and believes an axle may have overheated and caught fire.

The vehicle was part of a convoy of National Guard vehicles from the National Guard's 128^th Forward Unit out of Hamilton, OH en route to Camp Atterbury, IN for training.  The trailer was hauling parts and tools for other vehicles when it caught fire.  Although not hauling any hazardous materials, there was some concern about substances on the vehicle. 

Haz-Mat crews on the scene did a ground test on some water near the scene and test indicated a neutral PH.  After receiving further information from the National Guard in Hamilton it was determined that nothing on board posed any human or environmental hazards.

Three National Guardsmen who attempted to fight the fire with fire extinguishers were taken to the hospital for possible smoke inhalation as a precautionary measure. No other injuries were reported.  The three guardsmen transported were:  Sgt. Gary Henderson, PFC Harry Ennis, and Specialist Joseph Mays.  Ages and hometowns for the three are unknown.

Westbound I-74 re-opened at approximately 12:15 p.m. Thursday, October 18.

The incident is being investigated by Tpr. Chris Clark of the Indiana State Police.  He was assisted at the scene by officers from the Dearborn County Sheriff's Department, Harrison Fire and EMS, and the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Unit.

Source: Indiana State Police

Technorati Tags: News State Camp Atterbury I-74 I74 Indiana Nat Guard Indiana National Guard Indiana State Police ISP Military PFC Harry Ennis Sgt. Gary Henderson Specialist Joseph Mays Transportation

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