ELMO, Texas - On Wednesday night, February 25, 2026, at about 7:49 p.m. Firefighters battled a fully involved 18-wheeler fire along westbound Interstate 20 at the FM 429 exit after the truck’s cab ignited shortly after refueling.
The Elmo Volunteer Fire Department responded to reports of heavy flames coming from the tractor-trailer and immediately requested mutual aid from the College Mound Volunteer Fire Department. Crews arrived to find the cab completely engulfed, with fire spreading into roughly one-third of the trailer.
According to officials, the driver had fueled the truck with approximately 200 gallons of diesel about 30 minutes before the incident. While traveling on the highway, the driver reported hearing a loud pop and noticing smoke. After pulling over and exiting the vehicle, he discovered the underside of the cab was already on fire.
The intense heat melted portions of the fuel tanks, causing burning diesel to pour from the truck and complicating firefighting operations. Fire crews attacked the cab fire while additional firefighters breached the trailer’s sides to reach flames spreading through the cargo area.
The trailer was carrying approximately 44,000 pounds of solar panels.
Firefighters worked for about an hour to fully extinguish the blaze. No injuries were reported.
The Kaufman County Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene and is investigating the cause of the fire.
