(Update) Part of Eastbound I-44 Reopens After Shut Down Because of Fully Engulfed Tractor Trailer Fire
By: KOLR10 Newsroom
Updated: July 28, 2012
Greene Co. -- At least one lane of east bound I-44 between mile markers sixty-four and sixty-five remains shut down the passing lane is now open.
The fire started at about five thirty this evening and the driver was able to pull over and escaped unharmed. However, when the tractor trailer became fully engulfed in flames both lanes were shut down to protect motorists according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The Highway Patrol says the Greene County Sheriff's department worked to re-route traffic and control the scene with help from the Patrol.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene to get the fire under control including crews from West Republic and Bois D'Arc.
The Highway Patrol says the Missouri Department of Transportation was contacted to aid in that effort to re-route traffic. At times driver were driving the wrong way on the shoulder in an attempt avoid the accident.
West Republic Firefighter Tim Hathcock says dry conditions made fighting this fire even harder. "Upon our arrival, we had a fully involved cab fire of an eighteen wheeler, the fire extended into the box trailer of it, and we also had a working grass fire due to fire spread from the working semi fire. "
With one lane open it will likely not be long until both lanes are cleared. Because of the heat and the fire several firefighters were overcome and required aid.
Below is a our previous report of the incident.
The east bound lane of I-44 between mile markers sixty-four and sixty-five is closed down because of a tractor trailer fire. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the truck is fully engulfed and they are working to keep other motorists safe. The Highway Patrol says the Greene County Sheriff's Department is working to reroute traffic. Emergency crews are rushing to the scene to get the fire under control.
The Highway Patrol says the Missouri Department of Transportation has been contacted to aid in that effort to reroute traffic. At times, drivers were driving the wrong way down the shoulder in an attempt to avoid the accident causing further issues. Right now the Highway Patrol says they are not sure how long the Eastbound lane between mile makers sixty-four and sixty-five. We have a crew on the scene and we'll bring you more information as we get it.
The fire started at about five thirty this evening and the driver was able to pull over and escaped unharmed. However, when the tractor trailer became fully engulfed in flames both lanes were shut down to protect motorists according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The Highway Patrol says the Greene County Sheriff's department worked to re-route traffic and control the scene with help from the Patrol.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene to get the fire under control including crews from West Republic and Bois D'Arc.
The Highway Patrol says the Missouri Department of Transportation was contacted to aid in that effort to re-route traffic. At times driver were driving the wrong way on the shoulder in an attempt avoid the accident.
West Republic Firefighter Tim Hathcock says dry conditions made fighting this fire even harder. "Upon our arrival, we had a fully involved cab fire of an eighteen wheeler, the fire extended into the box trailer of it, and we also had a working grass fire due to fire spread from the working semi fire. "
With one lane open it will likely not be long until both lanes are cleared. Because of the heat and the fire several firefighters were overcome and required aid.
Below is a our previous report of the incident.
The east bound lane of I-44 between mile markers sixty-four and sixty-five is closed down because of a tractor trailer fire. The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the truck is fully engulfed and they are working to keep other motorists safe. The Highway Patrol says the Greene County Sheriff's Department is working to reroute traffic. Emergency crews are rushing to the scene to get the fire under control.
The Highway Patrol says the Missouri Department of Transportation has been contacted to aid in that effort to reroute traffic. At times, drivers were driving the wrong way down the shoulder in an attempt to avoid the accident causing further issues. Right now the Highway Patrol says they are not sure how long the Eastbound lane between mile makers sixty-four and sixty-five. We have a crew on the scene and we'll bring you more information as we get it.
