Big Rig Catches Fire On I-15, Prompting Delays

MURRIETA, CA — A semi truck caught fire on Interstate 15 in the Murrieta area on Friday morning, briefly sending a large plume of black smoke into the sky. The incident was first reported at 11:10 a.m. on the southbound side of the freeway, near Murrieta Hot Springs Road.

Preliminary California Highway Patrol reports indicate flames were coming from under the cab of the big rig, prompting the driver to pull over. By 11:21 a.m., the front part of the vehicle was fully engulfed.

A sig alert was issued a short time later.

Traffic reports indicated major slowdowns on both sides of the freeway near the scene.

No injuries were reported.