Semi truck fire under US 23 overpass Sunday night

At approximately 11:56 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, Piketon Seal Township Fire Department was dispatched to the area of US 23 and state Route 32 for a fully engulfed semi truck fire.

Once on scene, units found the fully engulfed semi on the state Route 32 eastbound lane under the US 23 south bound bridge. The fire was wrapping around the bridge making flames visible on US 23.

With the help of the Waverly Fire Department, units made an aggressive attack on the vehicle to try and cool the bridge and prevent any further damage. Smoke trapped under the bridge billowed heavily causing low visibility of the integrity of the US 23 south bound bridge until the fire was controlled.

The intense heat on the steel underside of the bridge raised concern for the integrity of the bridge. The Ohio Department of Transportation was contacted and US 23 south bound was closed until the integrity of the bridge was confirmed. US 23 and state Route 32 are now open again.

After almost four hours and approximately 6,000 gallons of water, the fire was deemed contained.

The Piketon Seal Township Fire Department would like to thank Waverly Fire Department, Piketon Police, Portsmouth Ambulance, Pike County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Pike County Emergency Management Agency, and Ohio Department of Transportation for their dedication and service on scene.