FLINTSTONE — A tractor-trailer carrying Amazon packages caught fire late Sunday, causing the closure of Interstate 68 west near Rocky Gap State Park for several hours, authorities said.
Just after 8 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to I-68 near mile marker 52 for a reported tractor-trailer fire, according to Flintstone Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Bowman.
“When units arrived on the scene flames were visible from the trailers rear tire area and extending up the side of the trailer,” Bowman said. “Additional units were requested to assist.”
Units from Baltimore Pike, Bedford Road, Orleans, LaVale and Ridgeley, West Virginia, volunteer fire departments were added to incident, according to Bowman.
Troopers from the Maryland State Police LaVale Barrack responded and assisted fire department operations closing the interstate and detouring vehicles, according to a state police spokesperson.
State police said Monday that the vehicle was an Amazon tractor-trailer hauling packages.
No injuries were reported, according to state police.
“There appeared to be some type of rear mechanical fire, possibly a blown tire that the driver was not aware that ignited and spread to the trailer contents,” Bowman said.
Bowman said that it took approximately 30 firefighters about a half-hour to control the blaze.
Firefighters used foam as a suppressant to form a blanket over the contents, cooling them and depriving the fire of oxygen, Bowman added.
“Crews unloaded half the trailer contents to ensure the fire was completely out,” Bowman said.
Cold temperatures and the flowing water from the fire department apparatus caused the westbound lanes to become slippery, Bowman said. Maryland State Highway was requested to assist with laying salt and ensuring the roadway was safe to drive on.
“We held traffic until the state highway arrived and put salt down and made the roadway safe to drive over,” Bowman said.
The scene was turned over to state police and state highways just after 10 p.m., according to Bowman.
“One lane of westbound traffic was running at that time,” Bowman said.