On Monday night, a semi-truck carrying corn caught fire on Hwy. 71 near U.S. 59, but thankfully no one was injured. Fire officials believe a mechanical failure, possibly related to the rear brakes, caused the blaze, which seemed to originate close to the rear axle. The truck was traveling from Palacios to Houston when the fire broke out. The driver noticed the fire and attempted to disconnect the trailer, but it collapsed. Fortunately, the truck came to rest on soft soil at the roadside. The El Campo Volunteer Fire Department responded, blocking off Hwy. 71 and re-routing traffic as they extinguished the fire.