Truck explodes outside of Seattle, closing large sections of Interstate 5
Posted July 28, 2022 3:59 pm.
Last Updated July 28, 2022 4:07 pm.
Anybody travelling south of the border for the long weekend should prepare for delays.
A truck carrying propane and oxygen tanks caught on fire before exploding, closing large sections of Interstate 5 southbound in Seattle Thursday.
“Express lanes are closed. The Mercer ramp and southbound Boyleston ramp are also closed,” said a Washington State Department of Transportation statement on Twitter.
The department added around 3 p.m. that “All lanes, including express lanes, are expected to be [closed] for an extended period of time.”
THIRD UPDATE: Expect LONG delays on southbound I-5 just north of Mercer Street. Express lanes are closed. The Mercer ramp and southbound Boyleston ramp are also closed. seek alternate routes such as SR 99 and I-405.
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) July 28, 2022
Rick Johnson from Washington State Patrol tweeted out “SB I-5 shut down at SR 520 for a vehicle fire. There is propane and oxygen tanks on the truck.”
Here is a picture from the scene. I am trying to get to the command post and will provide more info. @SeattleFire may be able to provide more details about what they are dealing with. pic.twitter.com/peDytfI5GR
— Trooper Rick Johnson (@wspd2pio) July 28, 2022
The Seattle Fire Department (SFD) added that a “flatbed truck with liquid oxygen tanks” was on fire, resulting in them exploding.
The City of Seattle suggests to follow SFD for updates on the incident.
