Burning car carrier near Spaghetti Junction jams I-85 traffic for hours
A car carrier caught on fire in DeKalb County on Monday afternoon, blocking northbound lanes of I-85 for nearly three hours, authorities said.
The fire was reported around 2 p.m. on the I-285 eastbound exit to I-85 North, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. Several fire engines, heavy-duty tow trucks and cranes responded to the fire and cleanup effort.
Firefighters put out the blaze by 3 p.m., officials said, and the far left lane of the interstate reopened.
Photos showed the carrier on the side of the highway as crews worked to remove six of the 10 Hyundai vehicles it had been carrying. GDOT spokesperson Natalie Dale said the six vehicles removed were burned in the fire.
She noted that traffic impacts included a minor gasoline spill that was contained. Two HERO units and a wrecker helped manage traffic.
All lanes of traffic were reopened by 4:30 p.m., according to GDOT, though delays remained in and around Spaghetti Junction as evening traffic volume increased.
DeKalb fire Capt. Jaeson Daniels said no injuries were reported. He said it was unclear what caused the fire.
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