FLINTSTONE, MARYLAND — An Amazon tractor-trailer hauling packages caught fire late Sunday night on Interstate 68 west near Rocky Gap State Park, forcing a multi-hour closure and a traffic detour as firefighters battled flames believed to have started in the rear tire area and spread into the trailer contents.

^{Photo credit: Flintstone Volunteer Fire Company}

Firefighters were dispatched just after 8:00 p.m. to I-68 near mile marker 52 for a reported tractor-trailer fire, according to Flintstone Volunteer Fire Department Chief Steve Bowman. Bowman said that when crews arrived, flames were visible from the trailer’s rear tire area and extending up the side of the trailer, prompting additional units to be requested.

^{Photo credit: Flintstone Volunteer Fire Company}

Bowman said units from the Baltimore Pike, Bedford Road, Orleans, LaVale, and Ridgeley (West Virginia) volunteer fire departments were added to assist. Troopers from the Maryland State Police LaVale Barrack responded and helped fire operations by closing the interstate and detouring traffic, according to a state police spokesperson. State police confirmed Monday that the burning vehicle was an Amazon tractor-trailer hauling packages.

No injuries were reported, state police said.

Bowman said the fire appeared to be linked to a rear mechanical problem, possibly a blown tire that the driver was not aware of, which then ignited and spread to the trailer contents. He said it took approximately 30 firefighters about a half-hour to control the blaze.

Firefighters used foam to form a blanket over the burning contents to cool them and deprive the fire of oxygen, Bowman said. Crews also unloaded about half of the trailer’s contents to ensure the fire was fully extinguished.

Bowman said cold temperatures and water flowing from firefighting apparatus caused the westbound lanes to become slippery, and the Maryland State Highway Administration was requested to apply salt and ensure the roadway was safe. He said traffic was held until salt was applied and conditions improved.

The scene was turned over to state police and state highways just after 10:00 p.m., and Bowman said one lane of westbound traffic was moving at that time.

The incident remains under investigation.

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