Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
ST. GEORGE — An early morning semitractor-trailer fire Tuesday morning on southbound Interstate 15 destroyed a trailer and its contents and continues to cause traffic delays.
Hurricane Valley Fire Chief Tom Kuhlmann said firefighters were dispatched to the incident at approximately 4:30 a.m.
“Crews arrived to find one of two trailers fully involved,” Kuhlmann said, adding, “It was a Core Mark trailer hauling product for a convenience store. We separated the two trailers and started an attack on the trailer.”
Kuhlmann said three Hurricane Valley fire engine crews, with assistance from Washington City Fire Department, responded and were able to extinguish the fire.
As of 7 a.m., several firefighters and one engine were still on scene making sure there were no hot spots within contents of the trailer.
“The other trailer and the tractor detached and have since gone on their way,” Kuhlmann said, adding there were no injuries reported.
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, but Kuhlmann said the fire started “outside the vehicle, around the tires and went into the vehicle.”
As of publication of this report, southbound traffic on I-15 near mile marker 18 has been restricted to the left lane only while crews clean up the area and prepare for the removal of the burned-out trailer.
Motorists traveling on southbound I-15 north of the site can expect delays of 15 minutes or more until at least noon, officials at the scene said.
For more information, check the Utah Department of Transportation traffic website.
Utah Highway Patrol and Utah Department of Transportation officials also responded to the scene and have been assisting with traffic control while the scene is being processed and cleared.
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Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Firefighters and safety officials at the scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
Scene of a trailer fire on southbound Interstate 15 near mile marker 18, Washington County, Utah, May 15, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have two young grandsons. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.