Semi-Trailer Full Of Round Hay Bales Catches Fire, Shuts Down Wingfield Church Road, One Firefighter Hospitalized

Edmonson Voice Staff Report
Firefighters responded to a call of a semi trailer full of round hay bales on fire on Wingfield Church Road today around 2:30pm. 

Officials reported that apparently the truck's trailer suffered a blow out, but the driver did not stop, and the tire caught fire. This apparently ignited the hay bales and the burning tire caused the axle to come loose from the trailer, which ended in a field, catching a fence post and the field on fire.

Officials also reported that the apparent shift in the trailer caused the burning hay bales to fall off the trailer, landing in the roadway, the ditch, and in the yard of Linda Lillard.

Firefighters worked to contain the blaze in other people's property, but burning hay bales just have to burn out once they reach a certain point.

Donald Sullivan, owner of the truck and hay bales, and an employee were breaking up the bales with a tractor and hay fork to let them burn out. 

The heat and heavy smoke made for very difficult conditions for firefighters on scene. 

Stan Tillman, a firefighter for multiple county fire departments was hospitalized for heat exhaustion. No word on his condition at press time. 

Wingfield Church Road remained closed for hours and traffic was detoured on Ellis Cole Road and Henry Meredith Road. 

Responding to the scene were the Wingfield, Chalybeate, and Brownsville Fire Departments, Ky State Highway Department, Edmonson EMS, and the EC Sheriff's Office.