KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — Eastbound Interstate 20 motorist should expect major delays after a UPS trailer caught fire and sparked several grass fires.
KAUFMAN COUNTY, Texas — Eastbound Interstate 20 motorist should expect major delays after a UPS trailer caught fire and sparked several grass fires.
The UPS tractor-trailer came to a stop just prior to the Hiram Road exit at mile marker 509 and was able to disconnect the truck-tractor from the trailer.
According to Kaufman County Fire Marshal Randy Richards, the incident sparked several grass fires along the right shoulder of the highway before the tractor-trailer stopped near Hiram Road. A blown tire also sparked a grass fire in the median of the highway.
Eastbound Interstate 20 was initially closed by Texas Department of Public Safety troopers due to safety concerns from heavy smoke crossing the highway.
As of 5 p.m., the trailer continues to smolder and crews are awaiting a tractor to help offload some of the packages to completely extinguish the fire. One lane of traffic has also been reopened.
The Elmo Volunteer Fire Department, College Mound Volunteer Fire Department, Terrell Volunteer Fire Department, Kaufman County Office of Emergency Management, and the Kaufman County Fire Marhslal's Office have responded to the scene.
Crews are expected to remain on scene to further extinguish the fire and for cleanup efforts for at least another hour or two, Emergency Management Coordinator Steve Howie told inForney.com.
No injuries were reported in the incident.
