Truck fire, debris cause 5-hour shutdown of I-75 South in Bartow
A truck fire on I-75 in Bartow County that left debris scattered all over the interstate caused traffic jams for hours Thursday, according to state officials.
The incident began around 1:30 p.m. on I-75 South near Glade Road, the Georgia Department of Transportation said. Authorities closed all southbound lanes for hours, eventually moving some cars past the wreckage on the shoulder.
The interstate finally reopened around 6:30 p.m. and the heavy traffic cleared up about an hour later.
Video footage showed debris from inside the tractor-trailer strewn across the interstate. Work crews could be seen using a compact excavator to scoop up the contents of the trailer off the ground.
Bartow officials have not shared any information about what caused the truck to catch on fire, or what the truck was hauling. Authorities did not say if anyone had been injured or if the incident would result in any traffic citations or criminal charges.
About the Author
Henri Hollis is a reporter and restaurant critic for the Food & Dining team. Formerly a freelance writer and photographer with a focus on food and restaurants, he joined the AJC full-time in January 2021, first covering breaking news. He is a lifelong Atlantan and a graduate of Georgia Tech.
