Man escapes food truck fire on I-15 near Fort Hall
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FORT HALL — No one was injured in a food truck that caught fire on Interstate 15 near Fort Hall Saturday evening.
Multiple witnesses tell EastIdahoNews.com a Blackhawk BBQ Pit food trailer in the northbound lane burst into flames south of the Shoshone Bannock Casino Hotel just before 6 p.m.
Idaho State Police did not have any information about what happened and the owner of the restaurant did not return a request for comment.
In a video posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page, Owner Nic Transtrum says it’s unclear what caused the fire. His employee was on his way back from an event in Pocatello. He made sure the smokers, propane tanks and anything potentially flammable was “buttoned up” and safely packed away before hitting the road.
When the fire started, Transtrum says his employee pulled over, quickly unhooked the truck that was pulling it and called 911.
Firefighters quickly put the flames out when they arrived, but the food truck and the equipment could not be salvaged. Even the cash box was destroyed.
This is the restaurant’s third trailer accident in the last several years, according to Transtrum. The first one happened four years ago when a trailer flipped over on the interstate and burst into flames. The second one happened last winter. Transtrum says another vehicle collided with a food trailer.
Transtrum is grateful no one was hurt and praises his employee’s efforts in acting quickly to save the truck.
Transtrum says fire officials are unable to determine what caused the blaze. Though the business is down one trailer, Transtrum tells EastIdahoNews.com they still have two other trailers and a restaurant in Blackfoot. The company will continue to resume operation.
“We’ve had people calling and asking if they can set up a GoFundMe for us. We’ve got things covered,” Transtrum says. “We’ve actually recently purchased two more trailers and are working … to get back on the streets quickly. We’re thankful for everybody’s support.”
