Georgia Truck Bursts Into Flames, Takes Hours To Extinguish

Northbound lanes of Interstate 75 near Macon were closed for nearly six hours today after a truck carrying butane lighters overturned and burned. The accident at about 8 a.m. blocked off I-75 north at the I-16 east interchange as emergency response crews worked to clear the scene. Macon police say I-75 reopened about 1:45 p.m. Marvin Riggins, assistant chief of the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department, said the driver of the truck apparently swerved and lost control, causing the truck to overturn. Inside the truck, the lighters caught on fire. Firefighters were forced to set up a water relay system on Riverside Drive, where there is hydrant access, and connect lines off the bridge over I-75 down to the accident scene. Riggins said it took about 20 minutes to put the fire out. The truck driver was not injured, and no other cars traveling at the same time were involved. Riggins said firefighters used a fuel emulsifier called F-500 to treat the spilled butane. The emulsifier reduces the risk of spreading the fire and environmental damage.