Truck Fire Closes I-70 Westbound for Hours
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WEST ALEXANDER - The driver of a semi tractor trailer escaped injury late Tuesday morning after the rig he was driving on Interstate 70 westbound, just across the Pennsylvania state line, caught fire.
Westbound traffic was at a standstill for nearly three hours after the cab of truck, including the trailer, became fully engulfed in flames shortly after the driver exited the vehicle. Video posted online shows the cab of the truck fully engulfed in flames and an explosion.
Emergency crews from West Alexander and Claysville worked to extinguish the blaze, with assistance from Valley Grove and Triadelphia Volunteer Fire Departments, according to Lou Vargo, director of the Wheeling-Ohio County Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency.
The cab of the truck, including the front section of the trailer along with its contents was completely destroyed. The truck was hauling mail and packages, according to Vargo. The fire occurred about 50 yards away from the state line.
"The tractor trailer was traveling west on Interstate 70 and fire developed in the tractor (section)," Vargo said. He said the front of the rig was fully involved when first responders arrived on the scene.
"It just spread into the back and you can see at least a third of the way the contents have been destroyed."
Vargo added that U.S. Postal inspectors were also called to the scene as the remaining contents needed to be secured before being transported to the Wheeling Post Office.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation crews were also called to the scene to assist in reopening lanes of traffic while emergency crews worked to clear the scene. It wasn't until 1:45 p.m. before one lane was reopened, Vargo said.