A semi truck burst into flames on Interstate 40 Wednesday night, causing a grass fire and bringing emergency crews to the scene near North Kickapoo Ave. and the Exit 186 mile marker. The Shawnee Fire Department confirmed that there were no injuries, although the cause of the fire remains unknown, as reported by KFOR.
Further trouble on the I-40 was reported by OKC FOX, which indicated that an additional crash in Shawnee forced the Oklahoma Highway Patrol to narrow westbound traffic down to one lane near Kickapoo Street. Commuters finding themselves in the thick of congestion, traffic was estimated to be restricted for at least a few hours, and drivers were advised to exercise caution.
Following the semi truck fire, KOCO 5 detailed further disruptions with road crews working on the severely burned tractor-trailer. Both directions of I-40 were opened by 10 p.m., but the westbound lane remained partially closed as workers continued remediation of the scene. There was an ongoing investigation into potential injuries from the wreck but no updates were available at the time.
Drivers planning their Thursday morning commute should remain mindful, as reported by both KOCO 5 and OKC FOX, that there is a construction zone near State Highway 177 at Exit 181 and another at Exit 185. With these construction sites already constraining traffic, the semi truck fire and subsequent crash have only compounded delays along this critical artery of transportation.
