CEDAR CITY — A motorhome fire on Interstate 15 just south of Cedar City caused traffic delays for more than an hour on Friday.
The incident was reported shortly before noon on northbound I-15 near mile marker 56, approximately one mile south of Cedar City’s southernmost exit.
Cedar City Fire Department personnel reportedly arrived shortly thereafter and were able to extinguish the flames. The two occupants of the motorhome, an older man and woman, were able to escape the vehicle unharmed after pulling it over onto the right shoulder of the roadway.
Cedar City Fire Chief Mike Phillips said the couple had been vacationing in Arizona and were on their way back to Salt Lake City.
The blaze caused extensive damage to the Challenger motorhome and its contents, although some personal items did appear to be salvageable. The cause of the fire is undetermined, Phillips said later Friday afternoon.
Northbound traffic on I-15 was impacted for more than an hour due to the right-lane closure of the roadway, which led to a backup of a couple of miles or so. Phillips said the scene was cleared by around 1:15 p.m.
Utah Highway Patrol also responded to the incident.
This report is based on information provided by fire officials and other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Photo Gallery
Cedar City Fire Department officials look for evidence at the scene of a motorhome fire on Interstate 15 near Cedar City, Utah, April 21, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
A Cedar City Fire Department official looks for evidence at the scene of a motorhome fire on Interstate 15 near Cedar City, Utah, April 21, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a motorhome fire on Interstate 15 near Cedar City, Utah, April 21, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a motorhome fire on Interstate 15 near Cedar City, Utah, April 21, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a motorhome fire on Interstate 15 near Cedar City, Utah, April 21, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a motorhome fire on Interstate 15 near Cedar City, Utah, April 21, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a motorhome fire on Interstate 15 near Cedar City, Utah, April 21, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a motorhome fire on Interstate 15 near Cedar City, Utah, April 21, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a motorhome fire on Interstate 15 near Cedar City, Utah, April 21, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a motorhome fire on Interstate 15 near Cedar City, Utah, April 21, 2023 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City 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 three young grandsons and one granddaughter. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.