Tractor-Trailer Fire Comes with $400,000 Price Tag

Friday night, North Branford Patch Editor Jenn McCulloch took note of a “beautiful sunset” near exit 56 in Branford. When she realized that the sun had gone down more than one hour prior, it became apparent that the orange-hued sky was not mother nature but a blazing inferno instead – and an expensive one at that.

A tractor-trailer carrying nine brand new Audi cars to a dealership in Danbury, caught fire just before 8 p.m. on the northbound exit 56 ramp of I-95. responded sending Engines 1, 5, 2 and 7. Branford Fire Chief Jack Ahern, Assistant Chief Shaun Heffernan, Captain Rick Hart and Deputy Chief Ron Mullen also responded to the scene. were also first to arrive with the fire department.

Mullen said the driver of the car carrier was headed south on I-95 when he noticed “smoke coming from the area of the rear passenger side tires on the cab portion of the vehicle.” He checked the tire area and decided to drive to the TA Travel Center but to do so, had to continue south to exit 55 and re-enter the highway headed north, said Mullen.

The driver made it as far as the exit 56 northbound ramp when he noticed, “more smoke and a red/orange glow from the rear passenger tire area of the cab.” The driver stopped halfway up the ramp according to Mullen and called 911; numerous passing motorists also reportedly called the emergency number.

When crews arrived, the fire was going strong requiring additional units to respond. Mullen said, “six of the nine new Audi vehicles were considered a total loss as was the truck that was pulling the car carrier trailer and the trailer as well.”  He also said, “the fire severely damaged a section of the wooden sound barrier wall on the south side of the exit 56 off ramp.” Mullen said the estimated loss was $400,000. The CT DOT has not responded with an estimated cost of damage to their property or an estimated time they plan to make repairs. Patch is working on contacting the Audi dealer regarding their loss.

No one was hurt during the incident.

Fire Marshal Heffernan is investigating the cause of the fire, which is believed to be the result of a passenger side rear brakes on the cab not releasing, thus overheating and igniting the tires, said Mullen.

The Connecticut State Police closed the exit ramp for approximately five and one half hours while crews cleaned the accident scene. Branford’s United Tire and Towing removed all of the damaged vehicles from the exit ramp; McVac Environmental Services of New Haven and CT DEEP responded to pump off the remaining diesel fuel in the truck and to clean up a minor spill of diesel fuel on the exit ramp.  CT DOT also sanded the ramp area after the vehicle and debris were removed.  Branford Police directed traffic at the intersection of Leetes Island Road and exit 56.

Branford Patch offers a special thanks to reader for sharing his photos of the accident scene by uploading them to this story.