The Examiner
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — A tire explosion from a tractor trailer on U.S. 24 Wednesday morning sent an Independence firefighter to the hospital, though his injuries were not life-threatening and he was in stable condition, an Independence Fire spokesperson said Wednesday afternoon.
The incident happened shortly after 11 a.m. at U.S. 24 and Old Lexington, between Little Blue Parkway and the Little Blue River. Firefighters had responded to a call of a tractor trailer on fire, though upon arrival they learned the westbound vehicle had started to emit smoke after the brakes locked. While firefighters worked with the truck driver to cool the tires and brakes, a tire exploded and debris struck one of the firefighters, causing injuries to the head and face, the spokesperson said.
A fire captain also was injured but was examined and released from the hospital and returned to duty.
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