Fire threatened highly flammable cargo

NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR - Some very tense moments this afternoon as firefighters battled a blaze threatening 10,000 gallons of volatile refrigerated liquid methane. The truck was coming form out of state headed for a south Arkansas destination.

The driver says his engine light came on and soon after flames began coming from the engine compartment. He got the big rig stopped on the westbound side service road of Interstate 40 .(Diamond Drive) in the Galloway area. Interstate 40 east and west bound was closed briefly, while firefighters doused the flames. The fire was contained to the cab and engine compartment of the tractor-trailer rig. No one was hurt.

Phil Pounders with the North Little Rock Fire Department praised his firefighters for their quick action resolving what he says was most certainly a potentially deadly and destructive explosive situation.

Pounders says the tanker trailer sustained so little damage he expected it to be pulled on to its destination by a replacement truck.