A big rig hauling rice caught fire on Interstate 5 near the Sacramento International Airport on Friday afternoon, leading to significant traffic delays as emergency responders worked to control the blaze. The incident, captured by KCRA traffic cameras at around 4 p.m., showed flames and black smoke billowing from the truck's load on southbound I-5 near Airport Boulevard.
Before the arrival of emergency services, drivers were seen attempting to navigate through the smoke; as some lanes remained open, the congested traffic slowed to a crawl, impacted further by drivers' slowing to observe the situation, by 4:30 p.m., the situation seemed under control, with most of the smoke dissipating and the flames extinguished. KCRA 3 reported that traffic was confined to one lane in the immediate vicinity of the fire aftermath.
According to FOX40, the truck was carrying approximately 43,000 pounds of rice when it ignited for reasons that are yet to be determined—the ensuing fire required several fire crews to address the emergency as traffic backed up for miles, with voyagers destined for the airport caught in the fray. Videos from the scene depicted a thick cloud of smoke enveloping the area, contributing heavily to the gridlock.
While the specific cause of the fire remains unknown as of this writing, California Highway Patrol logs confirmed the vehicle's cargo; the incident is under investigation, with both KCRA and FOX40 seeking further details from relevant authorities, until then the commuters and the local populace are advised to seek alternative routes and allow for additional transit time as the investigation and cleanup continue, with LiveCopter 3 showcasing the persistent snarled traffic well into the evening around 5 p.m.
