A traffic halt was in place on I-75 after a semi-truck carrying eggs caught fire near the Big Bend Road exit in Riverview this past Saturday. Fire crews responded to the scene at approximately 12:30 p.m. The driver had pulled the vehicle over due to a flat tire when the fire initiated in the truck's cab and spread to the trailer and its contents. According to information obtained by WFLA, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) battled the blaze and extinguished it within 30 minutes. Despite their quick response, significant traffic delays ensued, reducing southbound traffic to a single lane.
The resulting traffic congestion, as reported by WTSP, lasted several hours as crews worked to extinguish deep-seated hot spots in the cargo. The fire did not only cause delays but added figurative fuel to the regular stress of weekend traffic. No injuries were reported in the incident, and the HCFR was able to manage any concerns over hazardous materials quickly that has spread from the truck's cab.
By 7 p.m. yesterday, HCFR announced that all lanes had been reopened to traffic, as ABC Action News reported. The site of the incident near the Big Bend Road exit (246) was cleared of obstacles, allowing the flow of traffic to return to its normal rhythm.
The cause of the fire remains unknown, with investigations ongoing. HCFR has not yet speculated on what may have sparked the incident. The driver told officials, found within the trailer they were working to control the fire, who was able to safely evacuate the vehicle after noticing the flat tire and subsequent flames.
