ST. GEORGE — A semitrailer caught fire on Interstate 15 near mile marker 8 Tuesday night, filling the air with smoke as firefighters extinguish the flames.
Just before 11:30 p.m., St. George Communications Center received a call that a semitrailer had caught fire on Interstate 15 southbound just north of mile marker 8 and was pulled off to the side of the freeway, St. George Fire Department Battalion Chief Robert J. Hooper said.
As officers and emergency responders made their way to the reported truck fire, they noticed heavy smoke in the area, he said. At the scene, they found smoke and flames shooting from the rear axle of the semitrailer which the driver had pulled over to the side of the Interstate.
Fortunately for the driver, Hooper said, he released the semitrailer from the semitruck before firefighters arrived, which reduced the risk of the truck igniting as well. The fire was quickly extinguished using approximately 100 gallons of water.
The flatbed semitrailer was hauling steel, so there was nothing flammable or in danger of igniting – only the tarp covering the steel caught fire.
The Exit 8 southbound off ramp was closed to traffic for approximately 45 minutes as emergency personnel tended to the scene. No injuries were reported.
The St. George Fire Department, Utah Highway Patrol and Washington County Sheriff deputies responded to the scene, with St. George Police officers assisting with traffic control.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement or other emergency responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
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A semitruck trailer was undamaged due to the driver releasing the trailer when it caught fire on Interstate 15 southbound, just north of mile marker 8, St. George, Utah, Jan. 26, 2016| Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Rear axle of semitrailer that caught fire north of mile marker 8, Interstate 15 southbound, St. George, Utah, Jan. 26, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George news Damage to the rear axle, melted tire and debris from a semitrailer fire near mile marker 8, Interstate 15 southbound, St. George, Utah, Jan. 26, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Rear axle and tarp covering steel beams that caught fire on a semitrailer traveling south on Interstate 15 just north of mile marker 8, St. George, Utah, Jan. 26, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George news Damage to rear axle and tire that melted during semitrailer blaze near mile marker 8, Interstate 15 southbound, St. George, Utah, Jan. 26, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Truck driver released semitrailer from truck, minimizing the damage, Interstate 15 southbound, St. George, Utah, Jan. 26, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News Rear axle that caught fire north of mile marker 8, Interstate 15 southbound, St. George, Utah, Jan. 26, 2016 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George news
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