Two cars, two motorcycles and a trailer were left a total loss after a fire broke out and left Route 176 completely shut down near Marengo Saturday afternoon, authorities said.
The Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and Marengo Police Department responded around 4:50 p.m. Saturday to the 18700 block of Route 176 in unincorporated Marengo for a report of a vehicle fire.
Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts Public Information Officer Alex Vucha said firefighters arrived shortly after and encountered heavy fire conditions involving multiple vehicles.
A pickup truck was pulling a 24-foot trailer when a fire appeared to have originated from the trailer area.
The flames engulfed the trailer and began extending into the pickup truck when fire crews arrived, Vucha said.
Fire crews worked to extinguish the fire and prevent further spread into the cab of the truck.
The adult male driver had noticed smoke in his rearview mirror and was able to safely pull over before exiting the vehicle, Vucha said. He was uninjured.
The trailer was carrying a passenger vehicle and two motorcycles at the time of the fire.
The trailer, its contents and the pickup truck are considered a total loss, Vucha said.
Route 176 was closed in both directions for approximately an hour while crews operated at the scene.
“The Marengo Fire & Rescue Districts appreciate the assistance of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and the Marengo Police Department,” the fire district said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.