18-wheeler fire aftermath slowing down drivers along Southwest Freeway northbound at Bellaire
HPD said the truck was hauling tomatoes before it caught fire Thursday morning.
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The aftermath of an 18-wheeler fire is impacting traffic along a portion of the Southwest Freeway on Thursday morning.
Houston TranStar reported the heavy truck fire just before midnight on I-69 northbound at Bellaire Boulevard, causing some right and center lanes to close.
The fire is out now, but flames were visible coming from the big rig at around 3:30 a.m. A Houston Police Department officer told ABC13 the truck was hauling tomatoes and headed toward New Jersey before it caught fire.
HPD said a constable was driving on the opposite side of the freeway and reported seeing the fire spark on one of the back tires of the 18-wheeler. The officer said it appears the brakes locked up and caused the flames in the back part of the truck.
No one was injured, according to police.
Authorities said TxDOT is responding to inspect the structure of the freeway and ensure the road is safe to drive on.
Cleanup is expected to take a couple more hours, according to HPD.
