ST. GEORGE — Traffic on Interstate 15 in Arizona was partially blocked Thursday afternoon after a semitractor-tractor lost its 48-box trailer loaded with roughly 34,000 pounds of household goods.
The cargo suddenly broke free around 1:45 p.m. MST as the 2019 International Truck Tractor traveled north on Interstate 15 about 4 miles from the Utah state line, according to Sgt. John Bottoms with the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
“The driver immediately pulled over, called 911 and reported the incident,” Bottoms told St. George News. “The trailer came to rest upright blocking the left traffic lane.
“When the trailer’s landing gear struck the asphalt, it sparks caused a brush fire in the median. Troopers from the Arizona DPS responded and were assisted by the St. George Fire Department, Beaver Dam/Littlefield Fire Department, BLM rangers and BLM wildland fire crews as well as a BLM firefighting helicopter.”
Santa Clara-Ivins Fire Department also responded to the blaze. Department spokesperson Steve Ikuta said the fire was about 27 acres in size.
No injuries were reported, though it took authorities more than an hour and a half to suppress the fire and clean up the scene.
Police identified the driver of the truck as 50-year old Robert James Borg, of Houston, Texas.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, Bottoms said, noting that troopers haven’t determined if they will issue any citations to Borg.
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