Semi hauling cottage cheese catches fire near Princeton

A semi carrying a load of cottage cheese caught fire west of Princeton yesterday.  Princeton and Sheffield firefighters were called to the eastbound rest area on Interstate 80 midday yesterday for the semi fire.  As they battled the blaze, state police and IDOT handled the interstate traffic near the scene.  The fire was put out shortly after noon.  It took almost 3,000 gallons of water to extinguish the blaze.  Princeton Fire Chief John Petrakis says the semi’s cab, trailer and freight are a total loss, the cab and trailer valued at $350,000.  Petrakis says finding a cause of the fire will be difficult due to the extent of the damage.  The semi was owned by a California man.