MARION, Ind. – While patrolling I-69 on Friday at 2 a.m. near Marion at mile marker 263, an Indiana State Police (ISP) trooper noticed the cab of a semi was engulfed in flames. The driver had safely exited the vehicle. He was identified as Armando Alvarez, of Sarasota, Florida.
After being told that the trailer was loaded with animals from the Shrine Circus, the trooper and a Grant County Sheriff’s deputy entered the trailer and rescued the animals. Five zebras, four camels, and a miniature horse were led to safety. Law enforcement secured all of the animals until other Shrine Circus trucks arrived.
After the fire was extinguished, crews began cleaning up the scene. All lanes were closed for over four hours and eventually reopened at around 6:30 a.m. The preliminary ISP crash investigation revealed that an equipment failure was the cause of the fire.
The trooper and deputy were treated for smoke inhalation. Alvarez and all animals were uninjured.
COurtesy-ISP
Courtesy-ISP
