WALES — The cab of a tractor-trailer was destroyed after the engine compartment caught fire at the intersection of Wheeler Hill and Pond roads on Monday afternoon. 

The driver said he noticed smoke coming from the front after the truck stopped suddenly. He said he immediately got out of the cab and called 911. Flames quickly appeared, and the front engine section and cab were fully involved. 

The driver was uninjured in the incident. 

According to Wales Fire Lt. Brandon Siderio, the cause of the fire is undetermined. It started in the engine and spread to the rest of the vehicle. 

Siderio said the fire was extinguished within 10 minutes of the call, just after 4 p.m.

The vehicle belonged to Estes Trucking of Lewiston. The driver’s name was not available on Monday. 

Wales and Monmouth fire departments responded, by Sabattus, Greene and Leeds with tankers. A Maine State Trooper also responded.

Central Maine Power was called to repair electrical wires that were melted by the flames. 

Traffic was rerouted from Wheeler Hill Road to Warren Road while the scene was being cleared. Eventually the road was reopened to a one-lane traffic flow. 

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