PAROWAN — A man whose vehicle suddenly caught fire as he was driving on Interstate 15 was able to exit and get to safety Thursday afternoon.
The incident happened at approximately 3 p.m. on southbound I-15 near mile marker 72, approximately 3 miles south of Parowan, and involved a blue older model Ford Explorer.
Utah Highway Patrol Trooper James Springer said the driver of the Ford was heading south when he noticed some smoke coming up from the dashboard.
“The next thing he knew, the vehicle was on fire,” Springer said, adding that the man was able to pull over to the right shoulder and safely get out of the vehicle.
The Ford was fully engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived. Crews from Cedar City and Parowan fire departments responded to the incident.
By 4 p.m., the fire was out and emergency responders were awaiting the vehicle’s removal by tow truck. The SUV and its contents were a total loss, but no injuries were reported. The driver was the only occupant of the vehicle, UHP said.
The westernmost lane of the interstate was closed to southbound traffic for approximately 40 minutes as responders worked to put out the fire, cool down the wreckage and clean up the scene. Traffic was backed up at least a couple miles toward Parowan.
This report is based on preliminary information provided by law enforcement and may not contain the full scope of findings.
Photo Gallery
Scene of a vehicle fire on Interstate 15 south of Parowan, Utah, Nov. 18, 2021 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Southbound traffic is backed up toward Parowan, approaching the scene of a vehicle fire on Interstate 15 south of Parowan, Utah, Nov. 18, 2021 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a vehicle fire on Interstate 15 south of Parowan, Utah, Nov. 18, 2021 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a vehicle fire on Interstate 15 south of Parowan, Utah, Nov. 18, 2021 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a vehicle fire on Interstate 15 south of Parowan, Utah, Nov. 18, 2021 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a vehicle fire on Interstate 15 south of Parowan, Utah, Nov. 18, 2021 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a vehicle fire on Interstate 15 south of Parowan, Utah, Nov. 18, 2021 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a vehicle fire on Interstate 15 south of Parowan, Utah, Nov. 18, 2021 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News
Scene of a vehicle fire on Interstate 15 south of Parowan, Utah, Nov. 18, 2021 | 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. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.