SEATTLE, WA — A truck carrying propane and oxygen tanks caught fire Thursday afternoon, closing all southbound lanes of Interstate 5 in Seattle’s South Lake Union area, reports King 5.
The Washington State Department of Transportation said the incident occurred on the southbound lanes, just north of Mercer Street, shortly after 1:00 p.m.
It was unclear what caused the blaze, but officials said propane and oxygen tanks in the truck exploded as the vehicle became engulfed in flames.
Seattle firefighters utilized form to put out the fire, but limited access to fire hydrants delayed their progress. Water trucks had to be borrowed from both the Seattle Department of Transportation and Boeing.
Southbound traffic became backed up for nearly five miles as crews worked to clear the scene and inspect the roadway.
The WSDOT projected all southbound lanes, including the express lanes, would remain closed for an extended period.
No injuries have been reported as of this writing.
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