Truck fire stops traffic

At about 2 p.m. Monday, the Phoenix Metro Fire Department responded to vehicle fire along Interstate 17 at 2‑1/2 miles north of Happy Valley Road. A semi‑truck, stopped in the north lane, was on fire. The fire backed up traffic for about four miles in the southbound lane and at least six miles in the northbound lane. Fire fighters extinguished the fire by 4:20 p.m. No one was reportedly injured and the cause of the blaze was not reported. The Department of Public Safety and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene.

At about 10 p.m. on Monday, the Daisy Mountain Fire Department responded to lightning strike at a house in the area of 10th Street and Blue Eagle Road. The lightning strike made a hole in the roof, according to DMFD spokesman Dennis Tyrrell. No one was reportedly injured and the damage estimate was not known.

The DMFD reported receiving several other calls Monday night related to suspected lightning strikes. Those calls proved to be false alarms.

Rural Metro Fire Department sponsors coat drive

The RMFD is holding its second‑annual “Christmas in July Coat Drive.” Donations of gently‑used coats for all ages may be left at any fire station in the district.