The driver of a United Propane Gas delivery truck escaped injury today (Thursday) after the cab burst into flames on Highway 56 north near the entrance of the Retreat at Center Hill Lake, formerly Lakeside Resort.
The driver, Michael Nye, said he was traveling south enroute to the Smithville area to make deliveries when he heard a popping sound and pulled over to the shoulder of the highway. He got out of the truck and discovered a fire coming from under the hood. He grabbed a fire extinguisher and tried unsuccessfully to put out the blaze. County firefighters were notified and rushed to the scene.
According to County Fire Chief Donny Green, firefighters used about seven thousand gallons of water to bring the blaze under control and to cool the tank. The fire was contained to the cab of the truck. The tank, which was filled with liquid propane gas, did not catch fire.
Members of the Cookeville Highway, Midway, Liberty, and Main Stations of the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department responded along with the department’s tanker truck. DeKalb EMS, the Sheriff’s Department, DeKalb Emergency Management Agency Director Charlie Parker, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol were also on the scene
Traffic was stopped in both directions as firefighters were putting out the blaze.