FOREST, Miss.–A chemical spill and fire have shut down both the east and west bound lanes of I-20 in Scott County, causing major delays and back-ups. If you can avoid that area, between exit 88 and 100, a 12-mile stretch, the Highway Patrol is urging you to do so.
If not, you will be routed onto Hwy. 80.
“We do have quite a bit of traffic. I’d like the commuters to know it. You can expect delays,” said Trooper Andy West from the scene.
He said a Fed Ex truck noticed smoke about 6:30 p.m. Monday and pulled over.
“The trailer became engulfed in flames,” said West.
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The driver was able to get his trailer unattached, but it caught up and had hazardous material on it.
The Miss. Dept. of Environmental Quality and MEMA were on scene with the Highway Patrol to help clean it up and make sure commuters are safe.
This is a fact sheet from MHP:
I-20 Trailer Fire Fact SheetWhat happened?* At Approximately 6:30 p.m. driver realized trailer was ablaze. Driver detached trailer and removed himself safely.
* Lake and Forest volunteer FD responded to the scene. Due to haz-mat, material fire suppression activities ceased. Decided to let fire burn out permanently.
* FedEx hired appropriate responder contractors to which perform air monitoring and haz-mat removal.
* FedEx is acting in Unified Command with Scott County Emergency Management, Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. Support is also being provided by the Mississippi Department of Transportation and the Mississippi Highway Patrol.
* Road closure in place at approximately mile marker 88 to 100.
* Response crews will initiate cleanup when fire ceases.
* Road closure in effect till further notification.
