Steve’s Self Storage, a facility located at 4744 U.S. Highway 70 in Thatcher, Arizona, had an unwelcome guest Wednesday morning when a truck lost control and crashed into a utility pole next to the property. The broken utility caught the vehicle on fire, and the flames spread to a nearby trailer and a number of storage units on the property.
According to officials, the driver said the truck hydroplaned due to wet conditions, which caused him to strike the utility pole. He was thrown from the vehicle before it caught fire and had only minor scrapes and scratches.
“There was very little if any rain since we haven’t had any, so we aren’t the only ones who feel that story isn’t quite true,” wrote Debi Peterson, co-owner of Steve’s Self-Storage, in an email to the Gila Herald which covered the breaking news. She stated that the truck also took out a brick wall, a pine tree, and two fences. “I can tell you though, that these diesel trucks, motorcycles, and many, many cars use this part of the highway as a speedway and racetrack all hours of the day and night. Rarely are they pulled over!”
“Either way," continued Peterson, "He is guilty of reckless driving and is responsible for all the items that are lost. It would be nice if he could apologize at least to the woman who lost everything in her two storerooms and the man who lost everything in his. Not to mention the other storerooms with smoke-damaged items.”