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I-85 S blocked after tractor trailer caught fire

Posted 3:44PM on Tuesday 26th November 2013 ( 10 years ago )
LAWRENCEVILLE - Crews left the scene around 1 pm, but traffic was backed up on Interstate 85 Southbound as far back as Commerce well after the roads re-opened. Two tractor trailers collided near the Hamilton Mill exit this morning, resulting in the road being completely shut down from about 10 am to 1 pm.

According to Gwinnett Co Fire Lt. Colin Rhoden, one of the trucks was carrying electronic equipment and caught fire. Rhoden said he is unsure when the truck caught fire, but authorities believe it was after the trucks collided. Both trucks ran off the road. "One was totally engulfed in flames and the other one was totally damaged in the collision," said Rhoden.

The interstate was shut down around 10 a.m. for the safety of the firefighters. A water tender was brought in to combat the fire of the tractor trailer. "They were concerned about run-off from the trucks," said Rhoden. "So firefighters called for our water tender truck, which carries 3,000 gallons of water and they used that as their water supply."

Both drivers suffered minor injuries, one was taken to a local hospital while the other was treated and released on scene.

Rhoden said one lane of the interstate was re-opened around 1 p.m., just before a wrecker arrived to remove the tractor trailers. Other wrecks on the interstate caused additional delays all afternoon.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2013/11/268268

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