Thuringia: heavy-duty transporter catches fire: 200,000 euros in damage

Ilmenau (dpa/th) - A fire broke out on the tractor of a heavy-duty transporter on Thursday afternoon on the A71 near Ilmenau (Ilm-Kreis). Road users drew the 63-year-old driver's attention to the heavy smoke development on his vehicle, the police said. Accordingly, the driver immediately stopped his vehicle on a hard shoulder. When he got out, flames were already shooting out of the engine compartment. Shortly thereafter, the entire tractor caught fire. The driver was not injured. The police initially estimated the damage at more than 200,000 euros. The Autobahn was temporarily closed in the direction of Schweinfurt. According to the police, the van was unloaded, photos showed the burned-out vehicle.