Walmart Truck Catches Fire, Wreaks Havoc On Inland Empire Traffic

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA — A Walmart-bound big rig caught fire Friday morning, slowing traffic at the westbound Foothill Freeway (I-210) just past the Ontario Freeway (I-15) in Rancho Cucamonga, California Highway Patrol reported. A Sigalert was issued to close lanes as emergency officials extinguished the blaze and the driver saw to offloading the truck.

The #3 and #4 lanes were closed as of 9:30 a.m. as fire officials worked the blaze and the driver offloaded trailer contents, CHP reported.

At 9 a.m. passersby reported that a Walmart semi-truck driving west on the 210 was on fire, according to CHP logs. Flames were visible from underneath the vehicle, according to reports. The driver confirmed the left axle was on fire as they made it to the right shoulder of the Westbound 210 just east of East Avenue.

Still, the full semi-trailer needed to be emptied before it could be hauled away, according to CHP reports. Commuter traffic backed up on the westbound 210, as well on the southbound I-15 north of the 210 offramp.

"The driver of the truck was inquiring with Walmart to see if they would send out a private towtruck," CHP said.

As of 9:15 a.m., the company was removing some of the contents from the trailer which proved to be a slow process.

"They will be there for a while," CHP said.

CHP expected the Sigalert would expire by 10 a.m.