BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Mechanical failure ‘likely’ started a semi-truck’s trailer fire hauling beehive boxes, sparked a grass fire and temporarily halted traffic on westbound Highway 58 at General Beale Road, Oct. 12, according to Kern County Fire Department.
The trailer fire immobilized the semi-truck in the second traffic lane of westbound Highway 58 shortly after 12:36 p.m., according to the California Highway Patrol’s Traffic Incident Information Page. According to Kern County Fire Department’s Public Information Officer Jon Drucker, the semi-truck trailer was hauling beehive boxes when it sparked a grass fire.
Both the trailer and grass fire were contained as of 2:44 p.m. The grass fire burned about a quarter of an acre near General Beale Road.
The bee hive boxes on board the trailer were empty and did not contain any bees. Firefighters at the scene continue to work on extinguishing each beehive box.
Officials learned the bees had been delivered to their destination before the start of the fire.
KCFD said the fire was most ‘likely’ started by mechanical failure, specifically overheating brakes, and no injuries were reported.
