WASHINGTON — No one was injured from a truck fire that blocked southbound Interstate 95 in Elkridge, Maryland, for hours on Friday before lanes reopened midafternoon.
The lane closures created 7-mile backups stretching to the Baltimore Beltway during the height of the morning rush hour.
The truck fire, which started around 6:30 a.m., appeared to be in control at one point, but Howard County fire crews were called back to the scene when the fire reignited around 8 a.m.
Shortly before 11 a.m., dumpsters arrived at the scene to assist with cleanup.
All lanes reopened to traffic about 2 p.m.
The tractor trailer was transporting clothing, officials said.
Friday’s truck fire occurred about 1 mile from the scene of one of the region’s most deadly vehicle fires in recent years. In 2004, a gasoline tanker plunged off Interstate 895 and exploded when it fell onto I-95 below, killing four people. The northbound lanes were closed through two rush hours between D.C. and Baltimore.
And earlier this year, a tanker skidded off I-95 closer to Baltimore during freezing rain. The tanker exploded when it fell off an overpass near Caton Avenue, killing the driver.
The heat generated by large vehicle fires can also damage pavement. So even after the fire is put out, an inspection can prolong lane closures.
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WTOP’s Dave Dildine contributed to this report.
