st. George — A section of Interstate 15, a few miles south of the Utah-Arizona border, was closed Wednesday night after a fully loaded semi-tractor trailer caught fire.
Shortly before 9:00 p.m. MST Wednesday, firefighters received reports of a half-burnt near the shoulder of a Mojave County road on a southbound IH just south of the Utah-Arizona border near Mile Marker 27. -15 dispatched.
Both the Beaver Dam-Littlefield Fire and Rescue Team and the St. George Fire Department responded to the blaze, as the incident was reported to be so close to the state line. By the time the St. George Fire Brigade crew arrived on the scene, officials said the fully loaded cicada was completely engulfed in flames.
St. George Fire Department Deputy Chief Brad Esplin told The St. George News that firefighters launched an aggressive attack on the fire that had breached the trailer and consumed the cargo. Multiple fire engines were called in to provide a steady supply of water, considering that in the small hose he line he could handle hundreds of gallons of water per minute.
“Our engine can hold 750 gallons,” says Esplin. “Then we called in a spare engine to bring water to the scene.”
Shortly after, the Beaver Dam Littlefield Fire and Rescue arrived with multiple engines and a Watertinder specially designed to bring water to fire. In this case, the tank was filled with approximately 4,000 gallons of water. Additionally, all of this, in addition to the multiple water sources already on site, were necessary to contain the flames and prevent them from spreading into nearby bushes and vegetation. officials said.
Battalion Commander Andre Ojeda of the Beaverdam-Littlefield Fire Department told the St. George News that the blaze had already spread across trailers carrying produce fueled with large amounts of plastic polymers and cardboard, causing thousands of gallons of water. said it was necessary. packaging process.
“Cicadas were carrying large quantities of onions in boxes and wrapped in plastic. The two ingredients are in plentiful supply and burn very quickly.
After nearly two hours, the active flames were extinguished, but the tightly packed cargo continued to burn until a large backhoe arrived from Littlefield and the crew moved the smoldering material, separated it, and submerged it in water. I was.
At the time of the accident, Ojeda said the semi-trailer driver reported hearing a “pop” and dropped the car off his shoulder to check the truck. That’s when he noticed flames coming from under the tractor attached to the trailer. The driver reportedly grabbed a fire extinguisher to extinguish the blaze, but by then the extinguisher had done little to contain the rapidly spreading fire, and the driver subsequently called 911. bottom.
“At that point, the driver was unable to remove the trailer,” said Ojeda.
Footage of the fire, including clips courtesy of Beaver Dam-Littlefied Fire and Rescue and Kevin Johnson, appears at the top of this report.
Ojeda was grateful for the mutual aid provided by the St. George Fire Department. He said it made all the difference Wednesday night by containing a fire that could easily turn into a wildfire in so much vegetation just a few feet away. He also said he appreciates the cooperation between departments.
“With the distance involved, having crews from both divisions respond definitely helps,” says Ojeda.
of 35,000 lb semi-tractor trailer It was destroyed in the fire, along with a full load of onions said to weigh about 80,000 pounds total, officials said. I needed a tow truck. Shortly before 2:00 AM, both southbound lanes were cleared.
St. George’s firefighters were released from the scene shortly after midnight, while the Beaver Dam crew remained on the scene until morning. No injuries have been reported.
The Mojave County Sheriff’s Office and the Arizona Department of Public Safety also assisted during the incident.
Photo gallery
A semi-tractor trailer catches fire on southbound Interstate 15 just south of the Utah-Arizona border in Mojave County, Arizona, February 15, 2023 | Photo by Kevin Johnson, St. George News
On February 15, 2023, a semi-tractor trailer loaded with onions caught fire and was destroyed on southbound Interstate 15 just south of the Utah-Arizona border in Mojave County, Arizona. .Photo Credit: Arizona Department of Public Safety, St. George News
A semi-tractor trailer catches fire on southbound Interstate 15 just south of the Utah-Arizona border in Mojave County, Arizona, February 15, 2023 | Photo by Kevin Johnson, St. George News
Firefighters tackle a semi-tractor and trailer fire on Interstate 15 just south of the Utah-Arizona border in Mojave County, Arizona, on February 15, 2023 | Photo by Beaver Dam-Littlefield Fire and Rescue, St. George News
Firefighters tackle a semi-tractor and trailer fire on Interstate 15 just south of the Utah-Arizona border in Mojave County, Arizona, on February 15, 2023 | Photo by Beaver Dam-Littlefield Fire and Rescue, St. George News
On February 15, 2023, a semi-tractor trailer loaded with onions caught fire and was destroyed on southbound Interstate 15 just south of the Utah-Arizona border in Mojave County, Arizona. .Photo Credit: Arizona Department of Public Safety, St. George News
Firefighters tackle a semi-tractor and trailer fire on Interstate 15 just south of the Utah-Arizona border in Mojave County, Arizona, on February 15, 2023 | Photo by Beaver Dam-Littlefield Fire and Rescue, St. George News
On February 15, 2023, a semi-tractor trailer loaded with onions caught fire and was destroyed on southbound Interstate 15 just south of the Utah-Arizona border in Mojave County, Arizona. .Photo Credit: Arizona Department of Public Safety, St. George News
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