Truck heading to South Lake Tahoe catches fire, causes explosions

STATELINE, Nev. - A big rig heading west on US50 near the state line on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe caught on fire just after 3:00 a.m. Monday, March 2.

Crews from the Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District (TDFPD) and the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) responded. The driver of the truck disconnected the cab from the trailer and TDFPD was able to suppress the fire before it spread.

The brakes caught on fire and the air lines blew, according to TDFPD's Eric Guevin. He said the explosions heard were when the break pod and air lines caught on fire. Flames were visible from the passenger side of the trailer.

The highway was closed for a short time as the fire was put out and the trailer removed.

The Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) also responded to mitigate water and ice conditions on the roadway as a result of suppression efforts.

There were no injuries reported.