1:10 p.m. update: Firefighters report the driver of the truck was not injured. The semi was hauling metal, so there is no hazardous material cleanup required.
12:41 p.m. update: Firefighters at the scene say the passing lane of southbound I-65 is open, but traffic remains slow because of lengthy backups caused by the semi fire. The one-lane traffic situation is expected to continue the next four hours and first responders are asking motorists to avoid the area if possible. Some firefighters are clearing the scene and the fire is out.
12:08 p.m. update: The passing lane of southbound I-65 at the 78 mile marker, which is just north of the Edinburgh Premium Outlets, has been reopened. Additional police have been sent to the area to help clear out traffic that has lined up when I-65 was closed for about a half hour for a semi fire, that was extinguished at 12:10 p.m. Traffic that was to be diverted to State Road 252 is now being directed in the passing lane through the fire scene.
Noon update: Firefighters report one lane of southbound I-65 at the 78 mile marker may reopen in the next few minutes. Southbound traffic continues to be diverted off the interstate at State Road 252, directing motorists to U.S. 31. Additional police officers are heading to the backup to help clear out traffic from the area when state police reopen the southbound passing lane at the fire scene.
11:32 a.m. update: Indiana State Police have been requested to shut down the southbound lanes of I-65 at State Road 252 to divert traffic off the interstate due to a fully-engulfed semi fire north of the Edinburgh Premium Outlet mall.
Original story:
Firefighters have been sent to the 78 mile marker of southbound I-65 just north of Edinburgh for a fully-engulfed semi trailer fire.
I-65’s southbound lanes are closed at the fire location and traffic is backing up or at a standstill in the southbound lanes of on the interstate, first responders said.
For more on this story, check back here or pick up a Friday Republic.
