Rombout responds to Fire involving hay on a tractor-trailer
FISHKILL, NY - A tractor trailer with a load of hay caught fire on Interstate 84 and tied up traffic for several hours Friday. Around 3:45 p.m. the Rombout Fire Department arrived on the scene in the westbound lane about a mile east of Route 9. The open flatbed tractor trailer had about 30 large round bales of hay, which were on fire.
The blaze was stubborn and took foam to completely put it out, fire officials said.
The cause of the fire was not determined.
At one point, traffic was backed up for 11 miles.
"It was unfortunate for all the people tied up in traffic," said Rombout Chief John Lucariello. "Due to the nature of the fire we had to close westbound I-84."
By 8 p.m., the fire was sufficiently under control and the fire companies could begin clearing the scene.
Rombout spokesman Kevin Barry said one of the difficulties in fighting the fire was getting water to the scene. Tanker operations had to be set up, with fire companies traveling from nearby areas supplying water.
Responding units included fire companies from Hughsonville, East Fishkill, North Highlands, Village of Fishkill, Chelsea and Beacon.
No injuries were reported.
Photos from Poughkeepsie Journal
