Truck fire shuts I-75 near Lima

6/28/2009

LIMA, Ohio - Northbound I-75 was shut down for six hours early yesterday after a tractor-trailer rig carrying hazardous materials caught fire, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

The rig's driver, Alan Billheimer, 54, of Tipp City, Ohio, told troopers he noticed smoke coming from the rear axle.

The trailer caught fire after he pulled it over near the Fourth Street exit about 12:15 a.m.

The trailer contained one sealed drum of potassium hydroxide, a chemical with many industrial applications.

Crews from Allen County and Perry Township stayed on the scene until the drum was safely removed, troopers said.

Both northbound lanes were closed. Traffic was diverted through Lima until the left lane was reopened at 6 a.m. The northbound lane reopened at 11:45 a.m.

No one was injured, troopers said.