Cotton Picker Tractor Catches Fire Near Ricardo
RICARDO, TEXAS - On Thursday, August 28, 2505, at approximately 3:56 p.m., a cotton picker tractor caught fire outside of Ricardo. The cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
Witnesses reported hearing several explosions and seeing thick black smoke rising from the scene.
Equipment fires are a recurring risk during harvest season. According to AKE Safety Equipment, cotton harvesters are among the most fire-prone machines due to the crop’s high flammability.
Kleberg County Fire Marshal Ronald Pray explained, “Unfortunately, these things happen in the cotton industry since cotton is very flammable and when exposed to heat it can quickly catch fire. It doesn’t take much for cotton to burn, at only 400 degrees, and we live in an area where it’s already 100 degrees.”
Pray added that the explosions witnesses reported may have been triggered by factors such as tire pressure or flammable materials near the engine.
The driver managed to escape the tractor unharmed.
Photo courtesy of Bex Barco.
Photo courtesy of Nicole Rojas.
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