People in Missouri may have noticed the scent of delicious steak for miles around the state. Or there was a burnt odor hanging in the air as 40,000 lbs of steak went up in flames. This is because a semi-truck carrying a load of meat suddenly went up in flames. 

Semi-truck carrying 40,000 lbs of steak burns on Missouri highway 

Firefighters from the Doolittle Rural Fire Protection District quickly responded to reports of a truck fire in Phelps County, Missouri. The incident occurred eastbound on Interstate 44 around the 174-mile marker. 

Once firefighters arrived, they were shocked by the semi-truck that was fully engulfed in flames. It may have smelled like a steak restaurant as 40,000 lbs of ribeye were cooked in the flaming trailer. 

While I enjoy medium-rare steak, these slabs of beef were beyond well done. The meat was burned to a crisp as the trailer melted around it. 

According to WWNY TV, the steaks were declared a total loss. But it was firefighter Jenna Ulrich’s first call, and she got to fight the flames beside her father. 

This was a special moment for them, but the trucker, meat company, and shipper probably aren’t happy. Luckily, no injuries were reported. 

There is an ongoing investigation to determine the cause of the fire. Both lanes of traffic were closed for hours during this large barbecue. 

The fire department shared that this is the eighth vehicle fire in the last three weeks. So, why are so many cars catching on fire in Missouri?

At least residents know that they can depend on their emergency responders when the steaks are high.