Truck fire burns 40,000 pounds of rib-eye steaks: 'Total loss'

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FILE - Screen shot image from video shared on August 18, 2025, shows a tractor trailer engulfed in flames. (Credit: Doolittle Rural Fire Protection District)

A tractor-trailer carrying 40,000 pounds of rib-eye steaks caught fire on an interstate in Missouri on Monday.

‘A total loss’

Dig deeper:

Firefighters with the Doolittle Rural Fire Protection District were called to a vehicle fire on the 174 eastbound in Doolittle, Missouri, on the morning of August 18.

The fire department shared video on its Facebook account showing the trailer engulfed in flames as firefighters worked to put it out. 

Local perspective:

In the post, the department also shared that the incident was one of their probationary firefighters first calls. 

What they're saying:

"Nothing says ‘welcome to the fire service’ like sending the probie to put out 40,000 pounds of flaming ribeye! Probationary Firefighter Jenna Ulrich is the only vegan on our department——so naturally, her very first fire involved a tractor trailer carrying 40,000 pounds of ribeye steak," the post read. 

The cause of the fire was not released immediately. 

People commented on the video, saying that while the loss was unfortunate, it was probably one of "the best smelling" fires to which the department has responded. 

"I bet it made travelers hungry," one person said. 

"Bring an extra long fork," another person commented.