Early this morning, a semi-truck fire created significant disruptions along I-43 northbound in Milwaukee County. Flames took hold of the vehicle near the Hampton avenue, leading to a temporary yet full closure of the freeway. FOX6 News reported that the incident began around 2:20 a.m., and as of 8 a.m., the right lane remained closed. There were notable efforts by firefighters to control the situation, including the removal of part of a chain-link fence to effectively access a fire hydrant, details which were confirmed by multiple sources including CBS 58.
The intensity of the blaze not only impeded traffic but also caused to split the trailer in two. This extraordinary scene was captured by a Wisconsin Department of Transportation camera and was shared by WISN, which stated that the conflagration started roughly at 2:30 a.m. Traffic had to be rerouted off I-43 northbound as the firefighters battled to extinguish the flames. Commuters were advised to seek alternative routes as clean-up and investigation continued to hinder normal traffic flow.
No injuries were reported in the incident, something both drivers and emergency responders are no doubt grateful for. The cause of the fire, however, still remains under investigation. The efforts of the Milwaukee Fire Department were crucial, with one firefighter team having to sever a section of fence along Port Washington Road to gain access to water supply, as mentioned in reports by both FOX6 News and CBS 58.
By 4 a.m., most lanes had been reopened to the public, but with one still remaining closed, travelers found themselves caught in significant backups that extended past 6:30 a.m., as per the coverage by WISN.
