A vehicle and trailer fire on U.S. 160 on Wolf Creek Pass Tuesday, Aug. 4, sent one to the hospital and closed the highway for a period of time.
According to Colorado State Patrol Trooper Gabriel Moltrer and Pagosa Fire Protection District (PFPD) Chief Robert Bertram, the call for the incident at mile marker 165 on U.S. 160 went out at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Bertram relayed that the incident was a Suburban pulling a food trailer that was fully involved on the shoulder of the highway, adding it had pulled off on a wide shoulder and was “thankfully” in an area where crews didn’t have to worry about the fire getting into the trees.
Bertram explained the driver sustained some burns and was transported to the hospital.
He added there were also several dogs in the vehicle, with one dog unable to be saved.
U.S. 160 was closed to traffic after the incident began, with Moltrer indicating in an email to The SUN the road was reopened to alternating traffic at 4:37 p.m. and was fully reopened at 5:18 p.m.
Bertram explained there were two propane tanks that were venting and couldn’t be shut off, leading to the closure lasting longer.
Bertram explained the PFPD cleared the scene a little after 5 p.m., adding the fire was caused by a vehicle malfunction.
>