PUTNAM COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Update: According to Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames, all lanes are now open on Interstate 70 after a mechanical issue caused a semi-truck hauling several cars to catch fire and lanes to be closed.
A mechanical issue reportedly caused a semi-truck pulling a car hauler to catch fire along Interstate 70 Wednesday morning.
The fire caused traffic to be shut down in the westbound lanes of I-70, with traffic diverted off the interstate at exit 41. The incident occurred near mile marker 32 of I-70 westbound.
Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames said that after the driver pulled over into the emergency lane, the semi became fully engulfed with the cars on the trailer also catching fire.
Ames said the Oklahoma man who had been driving the semi was able to escape without injury.
Ames added that traffic has been restricted for approximately four hours, and as of 9:16 a.m. only a single lane remains open to traffic.
Ames thanked Cloverdale Fire Department and INDOT for assistance at the scene.
This is a developing story, follow MyWabashValley.com for updates as they become available.
Original: Crews are working a semi-truck fire near mile marker 32 on I-70.
According to a tweet from Indiana State Police Sgt. Matt Ames, the fire is on I-70 westbound and the interstate in that direction was currently closed. Crews have opened up one lane to help the flow of traffic. Ames speculated it could be about three hours before the road fully reopens.
Ames said traffic will be diverted off at mile marker 41 at the Cloverdale Exit. He said to expect long delays.
This is a developing story and we will update you as we get more information on mywabashvalley.com.
