Truck Carrying Methanol Catches Fire on Ga. Interstate

Nov. 23, 2013
A tire on a tractor trailer blew on Interstate 20 near Thomson igniting the sleeper cab forcing closure of the roadway for more than two hours.

Nov. 23--Interstate 20 near Thomson was shut down for more than two hours Friday after a tanker truck carrying methanol caught fire.

About 5:30 p.m., crews were called to mile marker 167 after the truck blew a tire in the westbound lanes, causing the sleeper cab to ignite, according to McDuffie County Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Steven Sewell.

Traffic was stopped on both eastbound and westbound lanes in McDuffie County and traffic was rerouted to Three Points Road near Thomson. The eastbound lanes and one westbound lane were reopened after the blaze was contained.

Sewell said the full load of methanol was never threatened. No injuries were reported.

Copyright 2013 - The Augusta Chronicle, Ga.

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