Ten animals from the Shrine Circus were saved after the trailer they were being transported in caught fire on Interstate 69 in Indiana, according to officials from the Indiana State Police.
The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Saturday in Grant County, located approximately one hour northeast of Indianapolis, according to officials.
Trooper Edward Titus noticed a 2012 Volvo semitruck and trailer “engulfed in flames” while patrolling I-69 near the 263 mile marker, according to officials. The vehicle was transporting five zebras, four camels, and one miniature horse.
Upon arriving at the scene, the trooper discovered the driver, Armando Alvarez, who had successfully exited the vehicle. Accompanied by a Grant County deputy, Titus entered the trailer and successfully saved the animals.
Additional officers arrived and successfully secured the animals while waiting for two more Shrine Circus trucks.
Titus and the Grant County deputy were transported to a nearby hospital to receive treatment for smoke inhalation. Thankfully, they were both released shortly after. Alvarez, along with all the animals, emerged from the incident unscathed.
The lanes remained closed for several hours while the fire was being extinguished and the scene was being cleaned up. However, the highway was fully reopened by approximately 6:30 a.m.
According to officials, it seems that the fire was caused by a malfunctioning equipment.
Read More:
- Georgia Senate decides to establish a committee to investigate Fani Willis
- Ailing Wisconsin man astounds daughter during basketball parents’ night
