Trailer fire extinguished

Albany volunteer firemen were called to the scene of a truck trailer fire on Saturday around noon near the east city limits.

According to AVFD chief Kyle Tischler, an equipment hauler was moving a large track hoe from New Mexico to Houston when he noticed that his trailer brakes had become overheated and caught on fire.

The driver was able to unload the equipment before the fire spread with only slight damage to the track hoe. 

He also disconnected the truck from the trailer and drove the rig away from the fire.

Tischler said that only three volunteers were able to respond to the emergency call.

“We were able to get the fire out quickly, but it had burned four of the trailer tires, air bag suspension, and air lines,” he said.

The truck company, located in Houston, sent another trailer to pick up the track hoe, along with an extra one to haul back the damaged trailer.