Massive rolling fireball shuts down I-80

Massive rolling fireball shuts down I-80

ROCK SPRINGS – The Wyoming Highway Patrol said that the eastbound lane of Interstate 80 will likely remain closed until Friday morning after an eastbound tractor trailer combination caught fire when the trailer disconnected from the truck near the 129 mile marker.

Wyoming Highway Patrol Trooper Mitch Kannier said the truck portion of the combination struck the guardrail and came to rest, blocking the right lane. The trailer continued to roll for around a hundred yards. However, the fuel tank for the refrigeration unit on the trailer burst and “ignited into a massive fireball” that continued to roll down the interstate before being stopped by the cable guard. The refrigeration trailer was loaded with bananas and corn.

“The produce was ignited into a fireball and the smoke blocked the westbound lane,” Kannier said. Off-duty Lyman Patrol Officer Allen Van Wagoner came across the unfolding carnage.

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“Luckily he saw all this happening and blocked traffic,” Kannier said, crediting Wagoner with quick thinking and helping to contain the chaotic scene.

Kannier said the westbound lane was opened when the fire was extinguished but the eastbound lane couldn’t be opened because of the narrow median and the need to bring in heavy equipment to remove the burned debris.

The driver of the truck, Leonard Davis of Wyoming, was transported from the scene complaining of back pain.