by Kylee Boyter
kboyter@cherryroad.com

Last night, January 9, a commercial vehicle traveling westbound on Interstate 70 near milepost 51 experienced a fire when the driver noticed smoke and flames coming from the trailer. The driver promptly detached the power unit from the trailer, but the trailer and its contents were quickly engulfed in flames.

The Salina and Aurora City Fire Departments responded to the scene and extinguished the fire, according to a Utah Highway Patrol officer.

The cause of the fire has been attributed to a brake malfunction. The officer stated it was “likely a result of a mechanical malfunction or improper brake usage while traveling westbound down Salina Canyon.”

The commercial vehicle was transporting alcoholic beverages, and the entire load has been deemed a total loss. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Westbound traffic was closed for approximately an hour and a half while responders secured the scene and extinguished the fire. Currently, one lane of westbound traffic remains closed as cleanup crews work in the area.