Friday, December 26, 2014

HAZMAT called to semi fire on I-90 east of Billings, Montana



HAZMAT called to semi fire on I-90 east of Billings, Montana




Dec 19, 2014 4:39 PM by Q2 News


UPDATE 4:40 p.m.



Lockwood Fire Chief John Staley said driver of the semi was not injured. He said the HAZMAT crew was called because the semi trailer contained compressed gas and some type of acid in unknown quantities. There was no fuel spill at the scene, he said.



The driver initially pulled over because of fire underneath the semi wheel wells. The semi belongs to CRST, and the driver said he was unsure of the cargo.



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UPDATE 4 p.m.



BILLINGS - The Montana Highway Patrol and Department of Transportation are clearing the scene from this truck fire.



The driving lane will still be blocked for at least a couple more hours while Hansers finishes the HAZMAT clean-up and removal of the truck.



Crews will be providing traffic direction for the driving lane which will continue to be closed until they clear.



All other emergency crews have left the scene. The agency said drivers will experience reduced speeds and should expect delays as workers remain at the scene.



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UPDATE 3:20 p.m.



BILLINGS - The Montana Department of Transportation reports that work continues at the scene of a semi fire on Interstate 90 east of Billings near mile marker 464.



Hazmat was called to the scene "due to fuel on the roadway," a press release states.



A hazardous materials team from Hanser's will perform clean-up at the scene, and the Lockwood Fire Department is attempting to remove the semi from the roadway.



Driver's should expect delays and reduced speed, and are asked to use an alternate route if possible.







Leslie Smith shared this photo from the scene.



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BILLINGS - Drivers headed westbound on Interstate 90 east of Billings should expect delays as the result of a semi-trailer fire.



According to the Montana Department pf Transportation release issued a semi caught fire near mile marker 464 in the westbound driving lane, but both lanes may close temporarily as crews work at the scene.



A HAZMAT crew was also called to the scene at about 2:30 p.m.