SALT LAKE CITY — A semi-truck transporting meat caught on fire near the State Street off-ramp from I-80 early Thursday, and it could impact traffic throughout the day.

Commuters using I-80 this morning experienced huge delays in the Sugarhouse area. Emergency crews responded to the scene of the vehicle fire around 6:00 a.m. and blocked off traffic.

Flames & smoke! Vehice fire WB I-80 near the State Street off-ramp. Emergency crews blocking a right lane with delays starting to back to 700 East. @kslnewsradio pic.twitter.com/WK9PYp96wL

— Rikki Meece (@KSLRikki) November 11, 2021

KSL NewsRadio’s Rikki Meece and Heather Kelly covered the closure since early in the morning on Thursday. 

Semi on fire on WB I-80 near the State Street exit. The right lane and shoulder blocked. pic.twitter.com/SaH0QgsU5b

— Heather Kelly (@KSLHeatherKelly) November 11, 2021

Massive grease clean up after meat truck fire

Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Cameron Roden said a semi-truck experienced a mechanical problem causing the trailer to burst into flames.

Utah Department of Transportation Spokesman John Gleason says the trailer contained meat. Gleason explained the cargo of bacon was fully engulfed. Although the fire was mostly contained to the truck, the fire resulted in bacon grease spillage on the road.

The grease covered several lanes on the State Street exit ramp. Crews spent over 10 hours cleaning up the slippery substance.

The exit ramp from westbound I-80 to State Street near Sugarhouse was closed for the entire morning commute and into the afternoon. 

No injury to the driver

Gleason reported, “The good news is, there wasn’t much damage to the road itself.”

The semi-truck driver was able to escape without injury. However, courtesy of the fire, he won’t be bringing home the bacon.

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