Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Dumps on Interstate Ramp, Starts on Fire

Car fires are not unusual for the Brookfield Fire Department, but this week there was a one with a twist: a motorcycle fire.

A 2009 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softtail was fully engulfed in flames when Brookfield fire fighters responded to the scene on the eastbound on-ramp to I-94 at Moorland Road shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday, Fire Department reports said.

According to reports:

The 64-year-old motorcycle driver said he was turning right to drive up the ramp when he suddenly lost control and dumped the Harley. He smelled gasoline and the motorcycle burst into flames.

He was able to get away from the cycle and suffered minor injuries, declining medical attention before a relative picked him up.

Firefighters determined the motorcycle likely slid on some "very slick" transmission fuel that had leaked down the ramp from a disabled or abandoned vehicle left at the top of the ramp.

After extinguishing the fire, crews also cleaned the oil slick and a Waukesha County highway sweeper truck made a pass over the ramp before it was reopened.

Other recent vehicle fires put out by Brookfield firefighters include:

• A Volkswagen van that was fully engulfed in the 13100 block of Lisbon Road on Aug. 19 (see photos attached). That 1 p.m. accidential engine fire shut down the road but didn't spread to any other vehicles or structures, and the occupants got out safely.
• A passenger vehicle with a fire in the driver and passenger compartments about 5:20 p.m. Aug. 15 on Hope Street. Again, the occupants were not injured and fire extinguished without further incident.