NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE (3/19/2015) The wreckage of a tractor-trailer that caught fire on Intestate I-295 near New Castle this morning has been removed and all lanes have been reopened, Delaware Memorial Bridge officials report.
The fire caused a major traffic jam for about four hours for motorists heading to the bridge, backing up traffic in the eastbound lanes and onto the northbound lanes of Interstate 95 approaching the 295/95 split.
After the initial alarm at 6:19 a.m., only one lane was getting by on the left shoulder, but at 7:33 a.m. bridge officials tweeted that the left two lanes had been reopened. All lanes were reported reopened at 12:20 p.m.
Crews first had to remove the trailer’s cargo of raw potatoes, then the damaged tractor-trailer.
The tractor-trailer stopped on the right between the U.S. 13 and Landers Lane exits.
The trailer was fully involved in flames when firefighters arrived.
No injuries were reported.
Units from Holloway Terrace, Minquadale and Wilmington Manor were among those responding, as well as one from the Delaware Memorial Bridge and one from Bowers Beach that was in the area for a funeral.
