Special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) have taken over the investigation into a pair of fires earlier this week at a busy truck stop along Interstate 10 in Willcox, Arizona Daily Independent has confirmed.
A 911 call reporting a semi-truck on fire at the Travel Centers of America off I-10 and Fort Grand Road came in around 2:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 7, according to Willcox Public Safety Director Dale Hadfield. Emergency responders arrived on scene to find two trailers ablaze.
Fortunately, the drivers had been able to unhitch their tractors -or cabs- from the trailers and get away from the fires. The trailers were hauling non-toxic items per their bills of lading, said Hadfield, who noted both trailers belonged to Phoenix-based Swift Transportation.
No injuries were reported as a result of the two fires, Hadfield said.
The involvement of ATF arson investigators stems from the fact the agency is primarily responsible for enforcing federal laws pertaining to destructive devices, explosives, and arson in interstate commerce, according to Erik Longnecker, spokesman for ATF’s Phoenix Field Division.
The TA Center – Willcox parking lot can accommodate more than 200 trucks at a time. Authorities are reviewing footage from numerous surveillance cameras on the property as well as from neighboring businesses.
Anyone with information about Monday’s fires is asked to contact the ATF Tipline at 888-ATF-FIRE (888-283-3473) or email to ATFTips@atf.gov Tips can be submitted anonymously.
