Truck Fire Causes I-30 Traffic Headaches

UPDATE: I-30 West traffic is back to normal.

A truck fire brought I-30 westbound traffic to a halt for several miles just before noon Friday, causing drivers delays, and continued hampering traffic well into the afternoon.

James Boggs, the driver, said he was traveling to Royse, TX when the right front tire of his truck blew out. Boggs said he pulled to the shoulder and noticed black smoke coming from the right front as he came to a stop.

Arkansas State Police closed traffic due to the hazard until firefighters from Perrytown Volunteer Fire Department were able to get in under control. Deann Volunteer Fire Department assisted by bringing a tanker with additional water and Hope Fire Department responded to bring more foam to help completely extinguish the flames.

As of 1:40 p.m. on Friday, traffic remained hampered but was flowing slowly through one lane as crews worked to remove the husk of the burned-out truck from the side of I-30. The back-up of vehicles on the interstate stretched nearly to Exit 44 in Prescott at one point but as of publishing was near the 41 mile marker.