Wlaf1450ROCKY TOP, TN (WLAF) – An 18-wheeler carrying ammunition, a small amount of chlorine and pesticides caught fire in the lunch hour on Sunday just south of Campbell County on I-75. Though the accident happened in Anderson County, the hours-long shutdown of the southbound lanes backed up traffic on I-75 as well as Highway 116 into Campbell County.
According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol report, 28-year old Mohamed A. Farah of Lewis Center, Ohio, was driving a 2015 Volvo tractor when he noticed the trailer was smoking. That’s when he told Trooper James Matthew Raines that he merged onto the shoulder near Mile Marker 125, and then the trailer caught fire engulfing the trailer.
Farah was able to unhook the 2016 utility trailer and pull the tractor away from the fire. Farah was not injured, but the trailer was destroyed.
Trooper Raines notes that the commercial vehicle was transporting ammunition; therefore as a result of the fire/heat, the ammunition did ignite causing small explosions at the scene. There was no report of injuries or property damage caused by the explosions. A small amount of chlorine and pesticides within the load.
The interstate’s southbound lanes reopened Sunday night. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/26/2019-NOON)