A double tractor-trailer hauling hazardous materials erupted in flames on westbound I-84 near Pocatello Valley shortly before 3 a.m. Friday, and firefighters initially allowed it to burn because of the hazardous cargo and limited water supply. Both trailers were fully engulfed by the time crews arrived, and the fire shut down the highway for several hours before it was finally brought under control.
Tremonton City Fire Department crews reached the scene to find both trailers of the double tractor-trailer completely engulfed in flames, according to KVNU. The trailers were carrying oxidizing hazardous materials, and firefighters arrived without enough water on hand to attack the blaze head-on. Rather than risk an unsafe response, crews let the fire burn in a controlled manner until more water and personnel could get to the scene.
Reinforcements Rush In From Neighboring Departments
Help came from nearby fire agencies as the situation unfolded. An engine from the Garland Fire Department and a water tender from the Snowville Town Volunteer Fire Department both responded to assist Tremonton crews, the same KVNU report notes. Once that additional water supply arrived, firefighters were able to move in and safely knock down the flames. FOX 13 News Utah reported that the Tremonton City Fire Department shared photos showing the truck fully engulfed.
Crews eventually got the fire under control, and no injuries were reported throughout the incident, the station's report adds. Investigators had not determined what sparked the fire as of the latest reporting, with the cause still listed as under investigation.
Highway Closed for Hours During Cleanup
The fire forced a lengthy shutdown of one of northern Utah's main freight corridors. Westbound I-84 was closed for several hours while crews worked to extinguish the fire, clean up the wreckage, and mitigate the broader impacts of the incident, according to ABC4.
The scene near Pocatello Valley was also captured by KUTV, which confirmed the double tractor-trailer was transporting hazardous materials when it caught fire on the highway early Friday. Hazmat-related truck fires on interstates aren't unique to Utah — a tractor-trailer hauling roughly 30,000 pounds of explosive munitions for the U.S. Department of Defense caught fire on eastbound I-84 near exit 41 in New York's Dutchess County earlier this year, according to Mid Hudson News. In that case, firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze and confirmed it hadn't reached the cargo compartment, though traffic in both directions was shut down during the response and no injuries were reported there either.
