Police: Flat tire causes semi to catch fire on I-15 near Cedar City

Scene of a semitractor-trailer fire on northbound Interstate 15 near Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 5, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News / Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY — A semitractor-trailer caught fire early Friday morning on Interstate 15 just north of Cedar City.

Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Bambi Baie said the incident happened just after 3 a.m. on northbound I-15 near mile marker 66.

Baie said the blaze appears to have been started because of a flat tire.

“A drive tire on the tractor was flat and he kept going, and apparently it caught fire,” she said, adding that the flames quickly spread to the trailer, which was filled with produce.

“The driver was able to remove the tractor from the trailer, and he did not sustain any injuries,” Baie said. 

The trailer and its contents ended up being a total loss, while the back end of the tractor was also damaged.

Scene of a semitractor-trailer fire on northbound Interstate 15 near Cedar City, Utah, Nov. 5, 2021 | Photo courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol, St. George News / Cedar City News

Traffic impact was minimal, as there were very few vehicles on the interstate at that time of the morning.

“It was closed for about 30 minutes, but as soon as the fire and smoke were put out, they were able to move traffic on the left lane,” Baie said.

Baie said the incident serves as a reminder for drivers to check the condition of their tires regularly.

“People don’t really think tires are that important, but they really are,” she said. “This is just one of many examples of what can happen if you don’t have good equipment or you don’t take good care of it.”

As late as 10 a.m. several hours after the fire, multiple tow truck operators from Ladd’s Towing were still at the scene cleaning up the ruined remains of the trailer and its contents.

This report is based on information provided by law enforcement and may not contain the full scope of findings. 

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2021, all rights reserved.

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