2 Trailers Full Of Hay Catch Fire, Stall I-10 Traffic

A truck hauling two trailers full of hay caught fire on the side of the westbound side of Interstate 10 on Friday.

The California Highway Patrol said it happened around 1:30 p.m., stopping traffic, which resulted in a back-up from Washington Street to Jefferson Street on I-10.

No one was injured, but the tangle of fire hoses and cleanup efforts have also slowed traffic down on the freeway.

“I was driving and I (saw that) one of my metal straps fell off,” said Mark Padilla, the truck driver, who spoke to News Channel 3’s Philippe Djegal. “When I pulled over, I’d seen smoke come up from the backside of the load.”

A Sig Alert has been issued by the CHP, and officers urge drivers to avoid the freeway.

CHP officers opened the number-1 and number-2 lanes shortly after 3 p.m.

CHP said all lanes were expected to reopen just after 8 p.m.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, but Cal Fire said the possibilities range from a disregarded cigarette, to spontaneous combustion.

Padilla was not cited.