Hay truck burns to ground in Calipatria

CALIPATRIA — A semi hauling hay south from Niland caught fire Monday afternoon and literally burned to the ground here.

First responders rushed to the scene to find the 18-wheeler and its load of hay engulfed in flames. The fire had forced the driver to stop in a dirt lot at Centro Avenue and Main Street and flee the vehicle.

Calipatria Police Sgt. Eric Trevino said the fire started while the truck was on Highway 111. A deputy followed the truck driver in an effort to get him off the road.

The driver reportedly made a sharp left turn into Main Street (Highway 115 in Calipatria), drove over a sidewalk to get into a dirt lot and left the vehicle where the flames grew out of control.

There were no reported injuries or city property damage, but the vehicle completely melted down, leaving only an exhaust pipe standing. Authorities said explosions reported at the scene were actually the tires bursting.

“I thought the donut shop was going to catch on fire because the flames were insane,” said Calipatria Police Sgt. Eric Trevino.

Calipatria Fire Department Chief Chris Hall said the cause was spontaneous combustion within the hay. Hay that is bailed while it is still has a high moisture content can start to decay and generate heat from the chemical processes underway. Any internal temperature exceeding 150 degrees Fahrenheit is considered a danger.

A fire crew and law enforcement remained on scene until about 6 p.m.

A semi hauling a load of hay was abandoned in downtown Calipatria Monday as it went up in cause of the fire was attributed to spontaneous combustion due to moisture in the hay. COURTESY PHOTO