Methanol 18 Wheeler Catches Fire, LIVINGSTON, November 21, 2019 - Shortly before 7 pm on November 21, 2019, an 18 wheeler (2013 Kenworth) driven by Uwakwe Onwuchekwa, 58, of Houston, was north-bound on US-59. Onwuchekwa pulled to the right shoulder of 59 just north of Beauty Shop Road. The rear brakes on his trailer portion overheated and caught fire. The tanker was loaded with methanol (flammable). Onwuchekwa exited his rig and grabbed his small fire extinguisher. The rear portion was now burning. The fire extinguisher ran out and basically did nothing. Onwuchekwa then detached the tractor portion of his rig from the now burning tanker and pulled it and himself away from the danger. Livingston Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to the fire and quickly doused the burning tanker BEFORE the methanol could ignite. Additionally, Troopers Colton McQuilkin and Chris Cain were dispatched to investigate. All traffic on 59 was shut down due to the precariousness of the situation. There were no reported injuries. Clifton Chevrolet out of Corrigan was dispatched to clean up the mess.
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Firemen from Livingston were quickly on the scene and put the fire out before the tanker's contents (methanol) could ignite.
The rear brakes of the 18 wheeler overheated and caught fire.
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