This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Over-heated brakes on a semi-trailer rig have been blamed for an explosion that sparked a brush fire along Interstate 70 in Emery County.
Utah Highway Patrol Cpl. Todd Johnson said the semi was traveling down an eastbound incline near Spotted Wolf, about 20 miles west of Green River, when its brakes ignited about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday.
The driver pulled off to the side of the highway and unsuccessfully tried to put out the fire with an extinguisher. One of the burning tires then exploded, sparking a small blaze in nearby brush. The driver sustained a cut hand when he was struck by the fiery debris.
Firefighters quickly doused the flames and the driver was treated at a local hospital and released.
The semi rig and trailer were destroyed by flames.
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