(June 27, 2015/Source: iWitness)
JUNE 27, 2015
SPARTANBURG, SC (FOX Carolina)
Spartanburg County firefighters said three people have died after a fiery, multiple-vehicle accident shutdown Interstate 26 Saturday morning.
The North Spartanburg Fire District said they were on scene of a multiple-vehicle accident involving a flammable liquid fire and three people were killed in the crash.
The fire district said I-26 westbound between New Cut Road and John Dodd Road will remain closed for most of the day. Eastbound lanes are back open.
The crash occurred at I-26 westbound near the 17 mile marker.
Troopers gave detour routes following the collision.
All I-26 eastbound traffic are told to use exit 16 at John Dodd Road. Drivers should turn left onto John Dodd Road and then right onto U.S. 176, and then take a right on I-85 southbound. Then, return to I-26 eastbound.
All I-26 westbound traffic are told to exit the interstate onto I-85 northbound. Then, use exit 72 and turn left onto Highway 176. Drives should then continue on 176 until I-26 and resume their drive onto I-26 westbound.
A fourth person was transported for critical burns.
///------------------///
UPDATE
A section of Interstate 26 in Spartanburg County could be shut down for 24 hours following a fiery crash that killed three people Saturday morning, authorities said.
The wreck involved three vehicles and a tanker truck carrying diesel fuel and gasoline that overturned and caught fire in the westbound lanes at mile marker 17, according to the North Spartanburg Fire District.
Two people in the tractor trailer and one person in an SUV were killed, said Assistant Fire Chief Brent Lewis.
A fourth person was airlifted to the hospital with critical burns, Lewis said.
The victims haven't yet been identified.
All lanes in both directions were closed for several hours as multiple agencies — including 10 fire departments — responded to the crash and fire, Lewis said.
He said it took nearly an hour to put out the flames.
The eastbound lanes were reopened to traffic later in the morning, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Westbound lanes between New Cut and John Dodd roads may be closed for 24 hours "due to the need to remove contaminated asphalt, resurface the damaged section of I-26 and repair or replace guardrail," DOT officials said in a release.
To detour, motorists traveling toward Asheville can take Exist 18B to Interstate 85, then take Exit 72 to U.S. 176, which will return motorists to I-26.
The trucking company, the Spartanburg Conty Coroner's Office and the Highway Patrol's accident reconstruction team is investigating.