KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — As of 1 p.m., a semi-trailer hauling chemicals continues to burn on Interstate 20 exit 506 in eastern Kaufman County.
KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — As of 1 p.m., a semi-trailer hauling chemicals continues to burn on Interstate 20 exit 506 in eastern Kaufman County.
Investigators suspect the fire originated at the trailer's brakes causing the trailer to also catch on fire and igniting the chemicals.
Kaufman County Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Howie tells inForney.com that firefighters are allowing the chemicals to burn-off, as is procedure with the specified chemicals. Those chemicals were identified as isopropyl alcohol, acetone, esters, other esters not otherwise specified, and other flammable liquids not otherwise specified.
Eastbound Interstate 20 was initially closed during the incident and has since reopened. The eastbound Interstate 20 506 exit ramp to Farm-to-Market (FM) 429 and FM 2728 is expected to remain closed until late Monday evening.
Firefighters reporting seeing the asphalt below the trailer "boiling" — which will likely require roadway repairs once the fire is extinguished.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
The College Mound Fire Department, Elmo Fire Department, Terrell Volunteer Fire Department, City of Terrell Fire Department, Kaufman County Office of Emergency Management, and the Kaufman County Fire Marshal's Office responded to the incident.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) also responded.
This is a developing story.