At around 11:00 PM yesterday (July 27), a fire broke out on a 25-ton cargo truck traveling toward Daejeon near the Sinpung Rest Area on the Seosan-Yeongdeok Expressway in Gongju, South Chungcheong Province.

Fire authorities, dispatched after receiving a report from a nearby vehicle stating that smoke was coming from the tire area, completely extinguished the fire 19 minutes after the report.

There were no casualties as the driver in his 30s evacuated on his own, but property damage occurred as the front part of the vehicle was completely burned.

The burning truck was carrying 20 tons of steel pipes, which could have led to a much larger accident.

Police believe the fire started when the truck ran over debris left on the road, struck the median barrier, and suffered a blowout of its front tire while driving, and they are currently investigating the exact cause of the accident.

(Photo: Provided by Gongju Fire Station)