A United Parcel Service truck caught fire around 7pm Monday evening as it was picking up packages.

UPS officials say that the driver heard a strange noise from the engine and pulled over on the side of the road.  The engine then caught fire burning out the entire truck cab and part of the front-end of the cargo area.

Reports indicate the driver began throwing packages in the bar ditch to try and save some of them.  The driver escaped the incident uninjured.

Officials say that about half of the packages that were on the truck were damaged and they estimate that the rest probably have heavy smoke damage, but they will be further evaluating them.

The fire took place about 3 miles NW of Zephyr on Hwy 183.

Photos below courtesy Shelly Moffatt.