Truck bursts into flames on Interstate 15 - East Idaho News
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Truck bursts into flames on Interstate 15

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Firefighters from various local agencies put out a truck fire on Interstate 15 northbound near Shelley on Friday. | Stephan Rockefeller, EastIdahoNews.com

SHELLEY — A truck burst into flames on Interstate 15 on Friday afternoon after a mechanical failure in its engine.

The male driver, who declined to be identified, was driving northbound on I-15 near Shelley when the truck’s front drive line snapped, spreading pieces of broken metal throughout the engine.

He tells EastIdahoNews.com he lost power in the vehicle and to the brakes. He pulled off to the side of the road, and the whole engine compartment burst into flame.

Passersby stopped to help put out the flames. However, it proved too much for small extinguishers.

The Shelley Fire Department, Idaho Falls Fire Department, Idaho State Police and the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office responded. One lane of I-15 was closed as emergency responders handled the blaze. As of 1:40 p.m., the northbound lane was still closed.

The fire, which had been burning for about 10 minutes, was quickly extinguished by foam and water.

The 2012 Dodge was a complete loss.

The man, and his dog, who was also in the vehicle, were not injured.

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