A truck carrying a precious cargo of french fries burst into flames on a US highway, prompting a rapid response from emergency crews.
The semi-trailer caught fire at around 8pm on Saturday, October 10, near mile marker 293 on State Route 6 in Emery County, Utah.
The Emery County Sheriff's Office dispatch centre alerted Green River Fire and the local deputy after receiving reports of the blaze.
Sheriff Tyson Huntington joked that rescuers faced a serious temptation when they arrived at the scene.
He wrote: “Despite the overwhelming urge to stop at home and grab a bottle of ketchup or fry sauce, ECSO Deputy Josh Opp dashed out to the scene.”
Deputy Opp and Green River Fire crews arrived quickly and managed to extinguish the flames.
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed, although Green River Fire Chief Steph Crabtree said it may have started because of a problem with one of the trailer's axles.
Fortunately, the driver managed to disconnect the tractor from the burning trailer, saving the vehicle.
Most importantly, nobody was injured in the incident.
Huntington praised the emergency crews for their swift response, while acknowledging the devastating loss of what could have been a very large portion of everyone's favourite side dish.
He wrote: “I am grateful for the quick response from our Green River first responders. Chief Steph Crabtree of Green River Fire advised the fire may have started from a problem with one of the axles on the trailer.
“Fortunately, the driver was able to disconnect the tractor from the trailer and save the tractor. Most importantly, no one was injured.
“However, it's always sad to lose french fries.....”
While the exact amount of fries lost in the blaze was not disclosed, the incident was certainly a case of a hot meal nobody had ordered.
And for hungry motorists passing the scene, there was rescue operation to save the doomed chips.