Truck And Toll Booth Catch Fire On Indiana Toll Road
The Indiana Toll Road was closed for some time this morning when a semi caught fire and in turn set a toll booth on fire in Portage.
Burning Truck Sets Toll Booth Awning On Fire
The fire happened at about 6 a.m. when an eastbound truck hauling potatoes and apples was stopped under the toll booth awning. The truck somehow caught fire and then the fire spread to the toll plaza.
Indiana Toll Rd EB @ Portage Toll Plaza, Tractor Trailer Fire, forces traffic off at I-94. pic.twitter.com/X7LAqvwp1A
— WGN-TV Traffic (@WGNtraffic) August 10, 2016
Fire Causes Heavy Traffic Backups
The fire forced officials to close down the toll plaza in both directions, causing huge traffic backups.
CLOSED: Indiana Toll Rd, both directions, At Portage. WB Traffic taken off at State Road 49. EB can exit at I-94. pic.twitter.com/M6OQvLuorC
— WGN-TV Traffic (@WGNtraffic) August 10, 2016
All westbound lanes were reopened by 9:15 a.m. The eastbound lanes are expected to reopen before 11 a.m.
No injuries were reported.
The fire reportedly caused an estimated $1 million worth of damage to the truck and toll plaza.
Police are still investigating the cause of the fire.
The truck was driven by 67 year old New Jersey driver Andrezy Drozd, who drives for ATC Transport.
Sources:
WGN TV
The Chicago Sun-Times
CBS Chicago
WSBT