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Semi-Truck Fire Causes Traffic Chaos in Hillsborough County

Emergency crews respond to a semi-truck fire on Highway 41.

News Summary

On January 9, 2025, a semi-truck fire shut down Highway 41 in Hillsborough County, leading to delays in both directions. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and traffic resumed shortly. This incident was part of a particularly challenging day for firefighters, who also responded to a two-alarm blaze nearby. Additionally, the community mourned the loss of Fire Medic Steven Haberland, who tragically passed away earlier. Meanwhile, a fatal collision involving a Publix semi-truck in Lakeland claimed a life, underscoring a day of heartache and heroism in the area.

Semi-Truck Fire Leads to Highway Shutdown in Hillsborough County

If you were traveling on Highway 41 in Hillsborough County on Thursday, January 9, 2025, you may have noticed some unexpected delays. Around 4 p.m., a semi-truck became engulfed in flames near 12th Avenue South, causing both the northbound and southbound lanes to temporarily shut down. This fiery scene raised quite a few eyebrows, but thankfully, authorities reported no injuries from the incident.

Emergency crews acted swiftly, and by 4:30 p.m., the highway was reopened, allowing traffic to flow once again. Yet, even as the smoke cleared, investigations were still underway to determine what caused the fire. As of Thursday afternoon, that mystery remained unsolved. For those eager for updates, local sources recommend keeping an eye out for more information as it becomes available.

A Busy Day for Firefighters

The semi-truck fire wasn’t the only challenge firefighters faced that day. Just hours earlier, around 12:30 p.m., they responded to a separate two-alarm fire that tore through multiple aluminum structures off U.S. Highway 41 between Gibsonton and Apollo Beach. Authorities received several calls regarding this brush fire, which indicates just how busy and eventful the day was for Hillsborough County Fire Rescue.

Miraculously, there were no injuries reported in the second fire either, but the cause of this blaze remains unclear as well. Firefighters were clearly put to the test on a day filled with unexpected flames!

Remembering a Fallen Hero

Fire Medic Steven Haberland, who tragically passed away earlier this week. On Tuesday, while driving on SR-50 in Brooksville, he lost control of his vehicle and struck a tree, not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident. Haberland dedicated over 18 years of his life to rescuing people and building a legacy in the community. His commitment to service will be dearly missed.

Another Tragic Incident In Lakeland

Lakeland. Just after 3:20 p.m. on Thursday, there was a fatal collision involving a Publix semi-truck. The crash claimed the life of 40-year-old Gary Camrean from Indianapolis, whose Toyota Camry collided with the semi-truck driven by Gustavo Estribi in the 7200 block of New Tampa Highway. Following the crash, the semi overturned, leaving Camrean critically injured. Despite being rushed to Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, he could not be saved. Estribi suffered minor injuries.

Authorities are now reaching out to the public for any witnesses who may have more information about this tragic incident, hoping for clarity in the wake of another heartbreaking situation. With all these occurrences, it’s clear that Hillsborough County experienced a day filled with both heroism and heartache.