Passing motorist alerts truck driver to fire

WHITELAND, Ind. (Daily Journal) - A truck fire on Interstate 65 near Whiteland on Monday morning closed part of the interstate for nearly 90 minutes.

Charles E. Thompson Jr., 42, of Greenwood, was driving his semi northbound on I-65 near the Whiteland exit when he noticed a strong odor of oil burning shortly after 8 a.m., according to an Indiana State Police news release.

A passing motorist alerted Thompson that his truck was on fire, and Thompson pulled over just north of the Whiteland exit. Flames began to enter the passenger compartment, but Thompson was able to get out and was not injured, the release said. He was not pulling a trailer.

The truck became engulfed in flames and both northbound and southbound lanes were shut down for about 20 minutes while firefighters from Whiteland and Greenwood battled the blaze.

Southbound lanes opened after about 20 minutes, while northbound lanes stayed closed for another hour or so until the lanes were cleared of debris, the release said.

Thanks to the Johnson County Daily Journal for this story.