KIRKWOOD, NY - On the evening of April 21st at 10:50 P.M., Broome County Communications dispatched the Five Mile Point Fire Department to I-81 South on the Exit 3 off-ramp to Colesville Road for a tractor-trailer fire. Squad 59 went enroute with 5 and county advised that the scene could be accessed from Colesville Road and that the driver had detached the trailer, but county still did not know what the cargo was. New York State Police arrived and reported a working tractor-trailer fire.

Squad 59 arrived to find the tractor detached from the trailer and pulled about 20-feet forward with heavy fire on the rear of the tractor. Squad 59's crew immediately went to work, stretched two lines to the cab and began extinguishing the fire. Traffic was temporarily shut down on the exit ramp while crews knocked down the fire due to the smoke condition created. Engine 59-2 arrived next and provided manpower and water to Squad 59's crew. It was determined that the truck was hauling rolled steel that was not hazardous and did not pose any risk.

Overall, the fire was contained to the tractor with no damage to the trailer or cargo. The driver was uninjured and some of his personal belongings were able to be recovered from the cab. Broome County Fire Investigators responded to investigate the cause of the fire. NYSP assisted with traffic control on scene. Oralls Garage responded to tow the truck and trailer from the scene. All units were clear of the scene by 1:30 A.M. on April 22nd.