What started as an electrical short at Hetzel Overland Transport, on Maple Street in Effingham, caused two semi-trucks and building to catch ablaze Friday night.
Just after 8:00 Friday night, the Fire Department was dispatched to Hetzel Overland Transport for a semi tractor on fire. By the time crews arrived, the fire had spread to a second truck and the building the two were up against. The call was upgraded to a structure fire.
Crews quickly extinguished the flames on the building and focused on the two trucks. Personnel entered the building to check for any interior flames, but found none. There was minimal damage to the inside of the building.
The main body of the fire was under control by 8:25 PM. Security camera footage indicated that one of the trucks was plugged into an electrical shore line that shorted, causing the fire which spread to the second truck and the building.
The two trucks are considered a total loss leaving an estimated $325,000 in damage. Crews left the scene just before 10 PM. There were no injuries reported.