A huge fire consumed a semi-tractor trailer Friday evening, closing down Interstate 57 for about four hours. No injury was reported. But the blaze, involving a cargo of deep-fry corn oil, did just that ---fried the semi and trailer.

Ashkum Fire Chief Jeff Glenn said "it was a spectacular fire." Ashkum, Gilman and Chebanse Fire answered the call. Emergency crews had to weave their way thru southbound traffic to get to the scene.

Northbound traffic was re-routed to Route 45. Illinois State Police and IDOT assisted with traffic control.

The emergency call came in just after 6:30 pm. It was first dispatched as a van-type trailer fire with a food product. Chief Glenn said once observed, the intensity of the blaze saw the response go to a Class B foam application –in dealing with 40,000 pounds of corn oil in 2-gallon plastic jugs packaged in boxes.

Glenn said a decision was made not to move to the trailer of 8,000 gallons of water and 20 gallons of foam used to extinguish the fire, since the trailer was still leaking.

94.1 WGFA