Semitruck hauling water bottles incinerates in California’s Death Valley

A semitruck with a cargo full of water bottles suffered an ironic fate in Death Valley National Park this month when it caught fire and was scorched.

The incident happened Jan. 10, though park officials didn’t disclose the incident publicly until Friday. The truck was going eastbound on California State Route 190 when it started burning. The highway is the only commercial thoroughfare through the park.

Park officials made no mention of the driver’s name or of an injury.

First responders to the scene hypothesized that the trailer brakes got too hot as the truck descended a hill, sparking the fire.

A park ranger at the scene said the truck’s water bottles melted, but the water couldn’t quench the flames.