Semi fire in South Lancaster closed highway

On Tuesday at approximately 12:30 p.m., the Grant County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a semi-tractor trailer on fire just south of Airport Road on Highway 61, in South Lancaster. 58-year-old Michael A. Cimpher of Potosi was traveling north on Highway 61 when the semi owned by Town and Country Sanitation caught fire near the right front tire. Cimpher was able to pull the vehicle to the shoulder and exit without injury. The truck was a total loss however the trailer was not damaged. Traffic in both directions on Highway 61 was initially re-routed for approximately 40 minutes until the fire was out. The north bound lane was closed for approximately 2 ½ hours until the tractor/trailer was removed from the road. The Sheriff’s office was assisted by the Lancaster Fire Department, Lancaster EMS, and the Grant County Highway Department.