Fruit truck decimated after fire in Tulare County, oranges may have contributed

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A motortruck transporting effect was acceptable connected occurrence aft it caught occurrence on a Tulare County highway, occurrence officials announced Wednesday.

The Tulare County Fire Department says the motortruck was traveling southbound connected Highway 99, conscionable northbound of Avenue 16, erstwhile it started experiencing mechanical issues.

According to crews, a mechanical nonaccomplishment of an axle is believed to person ignited the fire; however, the oranges it was transporting whitethorn person contributed to the fire's damage.

Orange peels incorporate the highly flammable lipid limonene. The National Institutes of Health says the oil's vapors tin adjacent signifier explosive mixtures erstwhile combined with air.

Although nary injuries were reported, the harm to the semi was major. Pictures provided by the occurrence section amusement a melted motor bay, melted tires, a missing roof, nary windows and a destroyed trailer.