Andover Fire Puts Out Tractor Trailer Fire on I-495 South

ANDOVER, MA — Andover Fire Rescue put out a tractor trailer fire on Interstate 495 South, Monday night.

Drivers began calling 911 about the fire at 6:37 p.m. Monday and the department responded to find a truck carrying frozen french fries was on fire.

Andover's Engine 4 arrived at 6:45 p.m. to begin battling the fire, and soon after Deputy Chief Keith Weightman called all of the town's firefighting units to the scene.

"Due to the fire's location on the highway, there was no available water supply and fire trucks had to shuttle water from the nearest fire hydrant located off of the highway in order to extinguish the fire," Chief Michael Mansfield said in a news release. "It took approximately 4,000 gallons of water to put the fire out. The fire was knocked down at approximately 7:55 p.m."

The tractor was saved, but the trailer and the french fries were not. No injuries were reported.

Massachusetts State Police closed two lanes of traffic during the fire.

Investigators believe the fire was caused by the truck running over a mattress, which got caught in the wheel and brake area.

The Tewksbury, Lawrence and North Andover fire departments provided station coverage.

"This was an extensive fire with an added layer of coordination and complexity since there wasn't a fire hydrant at the immediate scene," Mansfield said. "Andover Fire did a great job today, and I'm grateful for the other departments who were able to provide coverage during the blaze."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.