CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — A Cumberland County farmer is calling himself blessed after escaping death Monday night. His truck burst into flames while hauling 17 bales of hay along Highway 68.

“It was quite dark and my truck seemed like it was smoking,” said Roger Hartle, owner of the truck.

Hartle got out of his vehicle to see what was going on and shortly later his Ford F-250 was engulfed in flames.

But Hartle wasn’t too concerned about his truck burning up, he was more worried about what he had in tow.

“Asked the fire department, ‘Would they please just go from the rear of the truck and get the fire out and keep it from going to the hay?’ They obliged me and I give kudos to the fire department they did a very good job,” he said.

Fortunately, the hay made it to its destination, which is a big relief for Hartle considering how expensive the commodity has become.

“Hay is hard to find in Tennessee,” Hartle said. “It’s harder in other places like Texas and whatever else have you.”

According to Hartle, hay has doubled in price within the last two years.

FULL STORY HERE