A large plume of black smoke rises from a Goken Trucking semi-tractor as it burns last Sunday afternoon on the southeast side of Dysart. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

DYSART – First responders including members of Dysart Fire & Rescue responded to a large plume of black smoke filling the perfect blue sky on the southeast side of Dysart last Sunday afternoon as part of a quick burning tractor-trailer fire.

Parked on the east side of Zachary and Brittany Goken’s property located in the 200 block of Sherman Street, the Goken Trucking tractor-trailer suddenly and without warning caught fire under the cab’s hood sometime around five o’clock.

Several people driving in the vicinity at the time noticed the flames flicking out from under the hood and alerted Zachary Goken – who was inside his home at the time – as to what was happening mere feet from his front door.

Thanks to the early warning, Goken was able to move a second tractor-trailer parked nearby out of harm’s way before the fire spread any further.

Tama County Sheriff’s Deputy Jacob Murphy and Dysart Police Officer Jeremy Stenda were first on the scene with Dysart Fire & Rescue close behind.

Smoke rises from a Goken Trucking semi-tractor as it burns last Sunday afternoon on the southeast side of Dysart while members of the local fire department work to extinguish the flames. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Like moths to a flame, curious area residents also gathered on nearby streets and yards during the incident.

Firefighters immediately got to work extinguishing the blaze, keeping it contained to the semi-tractor’s black cab and engine – much of which was destroyed in the inferno.

The entire ordeal was over in less than 30 minutes and clear blue Sunday skies were visible once again.

When contacted by the Telegraph for comment on Monday, Officer Stenda said the fire appeared to have been electrical, originating in the engine.

No injuries due to the fire were reported as of presstime.

First responders including members of Dysart Fire & Rescue gather around a smoldering semi-tractor parked in the driveway of Dysart resident Zachary Goken last Sunday afternoon. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Members of Dysart Fire & Rescue finish extinguishing a semi-tractor fire in the driveway of Dysart resident Zachary Goken last Sunday afternoon. No one was injured in the fire which appears to have been electrical. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER