PEABODY, Mass. - Firefighters have been battling a blaze at a Massachusetts mulch company that spread to heavy construction equipment.


Peabody (PEE'-buh-dee) Fire Chief Steven Pasdon says the fire at the J.D. Raymond Company started shortly after 4 p.m.

Pasdon says the flames destroyed at least two large construction vehicles, including a tanker truck.

Thick smoke snarled traffic in the area near the Route 128 and Interstate 95 interchange, and state police closed part of the exit connecting the two highways.

A firefighter who suffered from smoke inhalation was taken to a hospital.

Pasdon estimates the fire caused more than $1 million worth of damage. The cause wasn't immediately known.

___

Information from: The Boston Globe, http://www.boston.com/globe

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.