On March 21st at 10:25 AM, Florida Highway Patrol troopers responded to a tractor trailer on fire in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 4 near the 9 milepost. Smoke from the fire has made it necessary to close lanes in both directions of I-4. Currently, one westbound lane is open as fire rescue crews continue to work to extinguish the fire involving a chemical referred to as Orange Essence. Motorists should seek alternate east/west routes at avoid delays.
Initially traveling eastbound in the center lane, the 2006 Freightliner tanker truck operated by Agmark Transportation out of Nashville, Tennessee experienced an engine failure which resulted in a fire. The driver, Clay Philip Rollins, 40, of Winter Haven steered the truck to the shoulder of the roadway and immediately exited the vehicle. He was not injured. The load of citrus extract, referred to as Orange Essence, was not affected by the blaze as fire crews successfully extinguished the blaze. Initially requiring the closure of all lanes of I-4, the westbound lanes re-opened just after 11:00 AM. The eastbound lanes are being re-opened at this time.
Source: Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office
TRAFFIC: I-4 E/bound at Mango Rd (Exit 10) CLOSED due to tanker truck fire. Seek detour…..
— HCSO (@HCSOSheriff) March 21, 2014
Fox 13 has pictures from traffic cameras:
MORE: All lanes of EB I-4 are closed due to vehicle fire. It's just east of Mango Rd. pic.twitter.com/TAfRgA9EeM
— FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@MyFoxTampaBay) March 21, 2014
MORE: Fire crews backing off from burning tanker on I-4. Carrying hazardous chemical: http://t.co/CCkm0zoAyN pic.twitter.com/mDOrSMCSHt
— FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@MyFoxTampaBay) March 21, 2014
UPDATE: Heavy smoke now on I-4 east of Mango; crews spraying burning tank carrying haz. material. pic.twitter.com/MvwPG1IwFa
— FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@MyFoxTampaBay) March 21, 2014
UPDATE: Seffner tanker fire on I-4 is about out. I-4 WB still closed. http://t.co/CCkm0zoAyN pic.twitter.com/3P8VYCid1q
— FOX 13 Tampa Bay (@MyFoxTampaBay) March 21, 2014
