I-95 southbound reopens in Elkridge after truck fire

A truck fire on Interstate 95 in Elkridge, Maryland, closed southbound lanes for several hours Friday morning. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

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.

Howard County Fire crews fight a truck fire on Southbound Interstate 95 on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration)
Howard County Fire crews fight a truck fire on Southbound Interstate 95 on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration)
Howard County Fire crews fight a truck fire on Southbound Interstate 95 on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration)
Howard County Fire crews fight a truck fire on Southbound Interstate 95 on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration)
Howard County Fire crews fight a truck fire on Southbound Interstate 95 on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration)
Howard County Fire crews fight a truck fire on Southbound Interstate 95 on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration)
Howard County Fire crews fight a truck fire on Southbound Interstate 95 on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration)
Howard County Fire crews fight a truck fire on Southbound Interstate 95 on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration)
Dumpsters arrive at the scene of the tractor-trailer fire to assist with cleanup. (Courtesy Maryland State Police)
Dumpsters arrive at the scene of the tractor-trailer fire to assist with cleanup. (Courtesy Maryland State Police)
Dumpsters arrive at the scene of the tractor-trailer fire to assist with cleanup. (Courtesy Maryland State Police)
Dumpsters arrive at the scene of the tractor-trailer fire to assist with cleanup. (Courtesy Maryland State Police)
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Howard County Fire crews fight a truck fire on Southbound Interstate 95 on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration)
Howard County Fire crews fight a truck fire on Southbound Interstate 95 on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration)
Howard County Fire crews fight a truck fire on Southbound Interstate 95 on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration)
Howard County Fire crews fight a truck fire on Southbound Interstate 95 on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017. (Courtesy Maryland State Highway Administration)
Dumpsters arrive at the scene of the tractor-trailer fire to assist with cleanup. (Courtesy Maryland State Police)
Dumpsters arrive at the scene of the tractor-trailer fire to assist with cleanup. (Courtesy Maryland State Police)

 

Listen to WTOP’s traffic updates on the 8s for updates or check out WTOP’s traffic page.

WTOP’s Dave Dildine contributed to this report. 

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