A fire on an exit ramp in Greensboro, North Carolina, prompted a shutdown of multiple interstates.
On Thursday morning around 7:30 a.m. EST, a tractor-trailer carrying fuel caught fire on I-85 at mile marker 120, Guilford County Assistant Fire Marshal Bobby Caron told the Greensboro News & Record. The fire occurred as the truck was on the I-73 S ramp exiting onto I-85 North and crashed, according to WFMY. At the time of the crash, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol told WFMY that the driver hit a patch of ice.
The fire caused both I-85 and I-73 South to be shut down because the tractor-trailer was stopped where the two highways come together as an intersection, according to the Greensboro News & Record.
Firefighters were able to extinguish the flames, but are still working to control the fuel. The driver was injured during the fire, but the extent of his injuries is not known. Highway Patrol told WGHP that the truck hit a slick spot on the road and flipped over.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) said the roads will be closed for an "extended period" and recommended travelers to use a detour. Drivers on I-73 South were urged to continue on I-40 East to US-220 South at Exit 218A. They could also follow US-220 South to either I-85 BUS South or I-85 North.
ALERT: All lanes of I-73 South are closed near Exit 97 (I-85 South) in Greensboro. Will be closed for an extended period.
— NCDOT (@NCDOT) December 13, 2018
Detour: I-73 S closed at I-40 E (Exit 212). I-73 S travelers continue on I-40 E to US-220 S (Exit 218-A). OR follow US-220 S to either I-85 BUS S, or I-85 N. pic.twitter.com/cF12EjrdQg
The closure was expected to have a high impact on traffic and the NCDOT recommended those traveling on I-85 North should take Exit 120-A for I-85 Business. Then, continue on I-85 Business until Exit 131 to get back onto I-85.
Structural engineers are inspecting the bridge to determine if it was damaged during the fire. It will not be reopened until it's deemed structurally sound and safe for vehicles to travel over it, according to WGHP.
On Tuesday, a woman driving a sports utility vehicle (SUV) hit a snowbank on I-73. After clipping the snowbank, her vehicle flipped over, according to WGHP . She suffered minor injuries in the incident and told officers that she was driving to work when the accident happened.
Officers don't believe that she was driving at an unsafe speed and instead citing ice on the road for prompting the accident.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
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